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THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION  IN 
THE  UNITED  STATES  ARMY 


THREE  ROADS 

TO  A  COMMISSION  IN  THE 

UNITED  STATES  ARMY 


BY 

Lieut.  W.  P.  BURNHAM 

SIXTH  U.  S.   INFANTRY 

AUTHOR   OF 

MANUAL   OF   OUTPOST   DUTY,   ADVANCE    AND   REAR   GUARDS, 

MILITARY   TRAINING    OF   THE    UNITED   STATES   ARMY,   ETC. 


™      OF  TBI        1r 

UNIVERSITY 


NEW   YORK 
D.   APPLETON   AND   COMPANY 

1899 


U3ti- 


Copyright,  1803, 
By  D.   APPLETON  AND  COMPANY. 


Electrotyped  and  Printed 
at  the  appleton  press,  u.  s.  a. 


PREFACE. 


The  idea  of  preparing  this  handbook  suggested 
itself  to  me  shortly  after  assuming  the  duties  of 
Professor  of  Military  Science  and  Tactics  at  St. 
John's  Military  School,  Manlius,  New  York. 

I  was  surprised  to  find  so  much  interest  mani- 
fested in  the  army,  and  yet  more  surprised  to  find 
how  little  was  known  of  its  real  workings.  The 
most  remarkable  impressions  were  entertained  re- 
garding the  character,  hardships,  and  privations  of 
the  rank  and  file  of  the  army.  However,  this  was 
not  new,  for  experience  had  proved  to  me  that,  as 
a  rule,  the  average  American  believes  the  army  is 
the  receptacle  of  drunkards  and  loafers,  and  that 
the  riffraff  of  the  country  is  to  be  found  in  its 
ranks.  Little  seemed  to  be  known  as  to  the  man- 
ner of  entering  the  Military  Academy,  the  nature 
"of   the   preliminary   examinations,  and   the   course 

85523 


vi  PREFACE. 

pursued  after  entrance.  The  fact  that  a  commis- 
sion could  easily  be  obtained  from  the  ranks  of 
the  army  was  beyond  comprehension,  many  not 
knowing  that  such  a  thing  was  possible  in  time 
of  peace. 

Believing  that  similar  ignorance  on  this  subject 
was  general  throughout  the  country,  I  decided, 
during  my  spare  moments,  to  endeavor  to  lift  the 
veil  that  obscures  and  darkens  the  view  of  the  best 
fed,  best  clothed,  best  paid,  and  best  standing  army 
in  the  world. 

During  the  years  1891  and  1892  the  character 
and  extent  of  the  examinations  for  obtaining  a  com- 
mission from  the  ranks  of  the  army  and  from  civil 
life  wrere  considerably  changed.  While  the  extent 
and  character  of  the  preliminary  examination  for 
entrance  to  the  National  Academy  are  the  same  as 
heretofore,  the  place  and  manner  of  conducting  it 
were  changed  materially  in  1892. 

The  rules  governing  the  various  examinations 
are  taken  from  the  official  records  of  the  War  De- 
partment, which  are  based  on  acts  of  Congress ;  and 
these  regulations  are  so  stated  that  the  reader  will 
easily  distinguish  what  is  regularly  prescribed  from 
such  original  remarks  and  explanations  as  it  has 
been  considered  pertinent  to  make. 


PREFACE.  vii 

I  am  indebted  to  Lieut.  J.  M.  Carson,  Jr.,  Fifth 
Cavalry,  adjutant  of  the  Military  Academy,  for  the 
very  latest  information  regarding  the  requirements 
for  entrance  and  the  course  of  study  pursued  at 
that  institution.  I  am  grateful  also  to  a  number  of 
other  officers  who  kindly  assisted  me  in  obtaining 
the  valuable  lists  of  questions  propounded  at  the 
different  examinations. 

W.    P.    BUKNHAM, 

First  Lieutenant,  Sixth  Infantry. 
St.  John's  Military  School, 

Manlius,  N.  Y.,  December  6, 1892. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 

Extract  from  Army  Regulations 

Commissions  from  the  United  States  Military  Academy 

Method  of  appointment    . 

Manner  of  making  applications 

Hints  to  aspiring  candidates    . 

Expenses  prior  to  entrance 

Character  of  entrance  examinations 

Points  in  regard  to  entrance  examination 

When  and  where  examinations  are  held 

The  new  cadet  .... 

Pay  of  cadets    .... 

Length  of  service  in  the  army 

Academic  duties        .  . 

Assignments  after  graduation  . 

Questions  asked  at  entrance  examination 


PAGE 

1 

2 

6 

7 

10 
15 
15 
27 
29 
31 
34 
36 
37 
44 
47 


CHAPTER  II. 

Commissions  from  the  ranks  of  the  army        ...  58 

The  preliminary  examination 61 

The  final  examination 65 


CONTENTS. 


Method  of  making  application 
Method  of  selection  . 
Character  of  examinations 
Hints  to  competitors 
Assignment  to  regiment  . 
Enlisting  for  a  commission 
Selection  of  arm  of  service 
Pay  and  discharges   . 
Examination  questions,  final  board 


PAGK 

70 
71 

72 
73 
75 

76 
81 

82 
83 


CHAPTER  III. 

Commissions  from  civil  life 109 

Character  of  examinations        .        .        .        .  .110 

Manner  of  making  application 115 

Place  and  method  of  examination 116 

Hints  to  candidates 117 

Assignment  to  regiment 121 

Examination  questions 123 


APPENDIX. 

Course  of  study  at  the  Military  Academy        .        .        .  141 

Form  of  appointment  to  the  Military  Academy      .        .  148 
Articles  of  agreement  and  oath  of  cadet  at  the  Military 

Academy 150 

Oath  and  form  of  enlistment  papers  of  recruit  in  the 

regular  army           151 

Form  for  physical  examination  of  recruit  in  the  regu- 
lar army 154 

List  and   location  of  recruiting  offices  of  the  regular 

army 156 

Oath  of  office  for  an  officer  of  the  regular  army      .        .  158 
Table  of  pay  allowed  by  law  to  officers    .        .        .        .160 


THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION 

IN  THE  UNITED   STATES  ARMY. 


CHAPTER  I. 
from  the  united  states  military  academy. 

Extract  from  Army  Regulations. 

The  three  roads  to  a  commission  in  the  line  of 
the  United  States  Regular  Army  are  briefly  outlined 
in  paragraph  23,  Army  Regulations,  1889,  which  is 
as  follows : 

"Vacancies  in  the  grade  of  second  lieutenant 
are  filled  by  appointment  from  the  graduates  of  the 
Military  Academy,  so  long  as  any  such  remain  in 
service  unassigned.  Vacancies  thereafter  are  filled 
by  appointment  of  meritorious  soldiers  favorably 
recommended  in  accordance  with  act  of  Congress 
,  approved  June  30,  1892. 

"Vacancies  existing  after  exhausting  the  two 
classes  named  may  be  filled  by  appointment  from 
civil  life.  Appointments  of  civilians,  except  of 
graduates  of  the  Military  Academy  who  have  been 


2  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

honorably  discharged,  will  not  be  made  in  time  of 
peace  unless  more  vacancies  exist  than  will  be  re- 
quired in  the  assignment  of  the  next  graduating 
class." 

Appointments  to  the  medical  department  and 
other  staff  corps  are  not  considered  in  this  volume. 

Commissions  from  the  United  States 
Military  Academy. 

The  National  Academy  is  located  at  West  Point, 
N.  Y.,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Hudson  Kiver, 
about  fifty  miles  from  New  York  city.  The  acad- 
emy is  situated  on  a  plain  about  one  hundred  and 
seventy  feet  above  the  river,  and  is  surrounded  by  the 
bold  and  romantic  scenery  of  one  of  the  finest  river 
passes  in  the  world.  The  academy  can  be  reached 
by  rail  or  boat  from  New  York  city  or  Albany. 

West  Point  was  occupied  as  a  military  station 
during  the  Revolutionary  War,  being  captured  by 
the  British  in  1777,  but  abandoned  after  Burgoyne's 
surrender,  when  more  formidable  forts  were  con- 
structed. It  was  these  the  traitor  General  Arnold 
attempted  to  betray,  the  plot  having  been  foiled  by 
the  arrest  of  Major  Andre,  the  circumstances  of 
which  are  well  known  by  the  average  American 
schoolboy. 


FROM  THE  MILITARY   ACADEMY.  3 

The  academy  was  established  in  1802,  being 
designed  originally  for  an  engineer  school,  and 
capable  of  instructing  fifty  cadets. 

In  1843  the  present  method  of  appointment 
was  adopted,  since  which  time  its  capacity  has  been 
increased  to  meet  the  corresponding  growth  of  the 
republic,  until  now  it  is  capable  of  instructing 
about  four  hundred  cadets,  and  from  this  source 
come  the  majority  of  the  commissioned  officers  of 
the  regular  standing  army  of  the  United  States. 

The  school  is  governed  and  instructed  by  a 
superintendent  and  an  academic  board  consisting 
of  seven  professors  assisted  by  about  sixty  instruc- 
tors and  assistant  instructors.  The  professors  re- 
main permanently  at  the  academy,  being  appointed 
to  their  positions  by  the  War  Department.  The 
superintendent  and  the  instructors  belong  to  the 
different  branches  of  the  army,  being  selected  on 
account  of  their  special  fitness  for  the  duty;  but 
the  period  of  their  detail  is  limited  usually  to  four 
years,  when  they  are  relieved  by  other  suitable 
officers.  The  academy  is  inspected  annually  by  an 
inspector-general  of  the  army,  and  also  by  a  board 
of  visitors,  which  is  composed  of  twelve  members ; 
seven  of  them  are  appointed  by  the  President  of 
the    United    States ;    the  remainder   of  the  board 


4  THREE  ROADS  TO   A  COMMISSION. 

consists  of  three  members  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, appointed  by  the  Speaker,  and  two  Sena- 
tors, designated  by  the  President  of  the  Senate. 
The  board  makes  a  careful  examination  into  the 
workings  of  the  institution  and  reports  the  result 
of  its  investigations  to  the  President,  with  such 
recommendations  as  it  may  deem  expedient. 

The  course  of  study  is  shown  in  a  tabulated 
form  in  the  Appendix,  from  which  can  be  gath- 
ered an  approximate  idea  of  the  amount  of  theo- 
retical and  practical  instruction  imparted  during 
the  course  of  four  years. 

The  cadets  are  arranged  in  four  classes,  corre- 
sponding with  the  four  years  of  study.  The  fourth 
class  is  employed  on  the  first  year's  course,  and 
hence  corresponds  to  the  "  freshman  "  class  at  most 
colleges ;  the  third  class  corresponds  to  the  "  sopho- 
more" class,  being  engaged  in  the  second  year's 
work;  the  second  class,  corresponding  to  the  "jun- 
ior" class,  is  at  work  on  the  third  year's  course; 
and,  finally,  the  first  class,  pursuing  the  last  year's 
duties,  corresponds  to  the  "senior"  class  at  most 
institutions. 

Each  class  is  divided  into  sections  consisting  of 
from  eight  to  twelve  cadets,  and  from  time  to  time 
cadets  are  sent  from  a  higher  to  a  lower  section,  or 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  5 

the  reverse,  depending  upon  their  aptitude  and  pro- 
ficiency. 

A  weekly  statement  is  posted  on  the  bulletin 
board  showing  each  cadet's  relative  progress  in  his 
studies.  In  addition  to  this  the  superintendent 
sends  a  monthly  statement  to  the  parent  of  each 
cadet,  which  exhibits  his  standing  both  as  to  his 
studies  and  conduct. 

As  each  of  these  sections  has  an  instructor,  and 
as  the  recitations  are  from  an  hour  to  an  hour  and 
a  half  in  length,  a  cadet's  knowledge  of  each  lesson 
is  thoroughly  tested. 

For  purposes  of  discipline  and  military  instruc- 
tion the  corps  of  cadets  is  divided  into  four  com- 
panies, each  consisting  of  about  seventy-five  cadets. 
The  companies  are  composed  of  about  an  equal 
number  of  cadets  from  each  class.  Eaoh  company 
is  under  the  general  management  of  an  experienced 
army  officer,  known  as  a  "tactical"  officer,  the 
entire  corps  or  battalion  being  governed  by  an 
officer  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  known  as 
the  commandant.  In  addition  to  this  each  com- 
pany is  officered  by  a  cadet  captain,  two  or  three 
cadet  lieutenants,  and  ten  or  twelve  cadet  non-com- 
missioned officers.  Usually  the  cadet  officers  are 
selected   from   the   first   class,  the   cadet  sergeants 


6  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

from  the  second  class,  and  the  cadet  corporals  from 
the  third  class. 

The  military  routine  and  discipline  at  West 
Point  are  followed  closely  by  a  few  of  the  civilian 
preparatory  schools  of  the  United  States,  as  it  has 
been  demonstrated  that  the  routine  and  military 
training  at  the  National  Academy  produce  the 
best  of  results,  especially  in  preparing  boys  for 
college. 

Method  of  making  Appointments. 

Each  congressional  district  and  Territory,  also 
the  District  of  Columbia,  is  entitled  to  have  one 
cadet  at  the  academy.  The  appointments  are 
made  by  the  Secretary  of  War  at  the  request  of 
the  Representative  or  Delegate  in  Congress  from 
the  district  or  Territory ;  and  the  person  appointed 
must  be  an  actual  resident  of  the  district  or  Terri- 
tory from  which  the  appointment  is  made. 

Ten  are  also  appointed  by  the  President,  being 
known  as  appointments  at  large,  and  are  especially 
conferred  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"The  Representative  or  Delegate  in  Congress 
may  nominate  a  legally  qualified  second  candidate, 
to  be  designated  the  alternate. 

"  The  alternate  will  receive  from  the  War  De- 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  7 

partment  a  letter  of  appointment,  and  will  be  ex- 
amined with  the  regular  appointee,  and,  if  duly 
qualified,  will  be  admitted  to  the  academy  in  the 
event  of  the  failure  of  the  principal  to  pass  the  pre- 
scribed preliminary  examination.  The  alternate 
will  not  be  allowed  to  defer  reporting  for  examina- 
tion until  the  result  of  the  examination  of  the 
regular  appointee  is  known,  but  must  report  at  the 
time  and  place  designated  in  his  letter  of  appoint- 
ment. The  alternate,  like  the  nominee,  should  be 
designated  as  nearly  one  year  in  advance  of  date  of 
admission  as  possible." 

Manner  of  making  Application. 

Application  may  be  made  at  any  time  by  letter 
to  the  Secretary  of  War  to  have  the  name  of  the 
applicant  placed  upon  the  file,  that  it  may  be  fur- 
nished to  the  proper  Eepresentative  or  Delegate 
when  a  vacancy  occurs.  The  application  should 
give  the  full  name,  age,  and  residence  of  the  appli- 
cant, with  the  number  of  the  congressional  district 
in  which  his  home  is  located.  As  a  rule,  appoint- 
ments are  required  to  be  made  one  year  in  advance 
of  the  date  of  admission.  The  age  of  admission  for 
cadets  to  the  academy  is  between  seventeen  and 
twenty-two  years.     A  candidate   desiring   appoint- 


8  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

ment  to  the  academy,  and  having  had  his  name 
placed  on  the  register  at  the  War  Department,  will 
not  necessarily  receive  the  desired  aj^pointment, 
further  effort  usually  being  required.  As  soon  as 
it  is  learned  that  there  is  to  be  a  vacancy  at  the 
academy  from  his  district  the  applicant  should, 
apply  to  the  Congressman  for  appointment  to  it, 
forwarding  such  recommendations  as  to  fitness  for 
the  position  as  he  can  obtain,  giving  full  particulars 
as  to  age,  residence,  health,  education,  etc.,  and  re- 
questing in  respectful  terms  that  his  name  may 
receive  consideration  in  filling  the  vacancy. 

A  vacancy  from  a  district  may  result  from 
various  causes.  Some  of  these  are  the  gradua- 
tion of  the  cadet  representing  it,  his  discharge, 
dismissal,  or  resignation  from  the  academy.  At 
all  events,  it  would  be  well  for  the  candidate  to  ap- 
ply to  his  Congressman  at  least  a  year  before  the 
probable  graduation  of  the  cadet  he  desires  to  suc- 
ceed. It  is  becoming  quite  common  for  competi- 
tive examinations  to  be  held  in  a  district  when  a 
vacancy  at  West  Point  from  that  district  occurs. 
In  this  case  the  Representative  will  inform  such 
applicants  as  he  desires  to  compete  to  appear  for 
examination  at  a  certain  time  and  place,  usually 
stating  the  scope  of  the  examination.    The  applicant 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  9 

who  passes  the  most  satisfactory  examination  is 
selected  and  his  name  sent  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
with  the  request  that  an  appointment  be  issued. 
The  applicant  who  passes  the  next  best  examination 
may  be  appointed  as  alternate.  It  must  be  borne 
in  mind,  however,  that  the  selection  of  an  applicant 
for  appointment  to  West  Point  rests  entirely  with 
the  Representative  of  the  district,  and  he  is  at  lib- 
erty to  make  it  in  any  manner  he  sees  fit.  He  may 
select  one  of  his  friends,  one  of  his  enemies,  or  he 
may  elect  to  have  a  competitive  examination  with 
a  view  to  getting  the  best  boy  for  the  place,  or  from 
any  other  motive. 

The  ten  appointments  at  large  which  are  made 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States  were  de- 
signed originally  for  the  benefit  of  the  sons  of 
army  officers  who,  having  no  permanent  abode, 
are  thus  debarred  from  getting  an  appointment 
in  the  usual  way.  As  just  explained,  however, 
it  rests  solely  with  the  President  as  to  the  per- 
sons appointed  and  the  manner  of  selecting  the 
applicant.  Applications  for  appointments  at  large 
are  made  to  the  Secretary  of  War  (sometimes  to  the 
President  himself),  and  should  contain  all  that  is 
necessary  for  the  President  to  determine  the  fitness 
of   the   applicant.     Great   influence   is   brought   to 


10  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

bear  in  the  interests  of  applicants  for  this  class  of 
appointments,  but  as  a  rule  the  sons  of  meritorious 
army  officers  have  received  a  share  of  them. 

The  Secretary  of  War  will  furnish  the  success- 
ful applicant  with  an  appointment  (see  blank  form 
in  Appendix),  and  direct  him  to  report  in  person 
to  the  president  of  a  certain  board  of  officers  on 
a  certain  day,  to  be  examined  for  entrance  to  the 
United  States  Military  Academy. 

No  person  who  is  married  will  be  admitted  to 
the  academy  as  a  cadet  ;  and  should  a  cadet  marry 
after  entrance,  it  will  bo  equivalent  to  a  resignation, 
and  he  will  be  required  to  leave  the  academy  at 
once. 

Hints  to  Aspiring  Candidates. 

Before  accepting  an  appointment  to  the  Mili- 
tary Academy  a  young  man  should  satisfy  himself 
that  he  is  mentally  and  physically  qualified  to  un- 
dergo the  discipline  and  pursue  his  course  at  the 
academy  to  a  successful  termination. 

To  this  end,  first  of  all  note  the  fact  that  the 
physical  examination  is  extremely  rigid ;  and  if  you 
have  any  suspicion  that  you  are  not  physically  sound, 
a  reliable  surgeon  or  physician  should  be  consulted. 
Tell  him  exactly  what  is  required,  and  ask  him  to 
make  a  careful  examination,  as  is  laid  down  for  the 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  %f 

preliminary  examination  for  entrance.  If  he  finds 
any  defects  which  would  render  you  unfit  for  mili- 
tary service,  further  effort  on  your  part  to  enter  the 
academy  may  as  well  be  abandoned,  thus  saving 
you  and  the  Government  considerable  time  and 
money.  The  eyes  should  receive  special  attention, 
as  many  young  men  have  defective  eyes  who  sup- 
pose that  they  are  perfectly  sound.  Color  blindness, 
far-  and  near-sightedness,  are  much  more  common 
than  is  generally  known. 

"  A  sound  body  and  constitution,  suitable  prepa- 
ration, good  natural  capacity,  an  aptitude  for  study, 
industrious  habits,  perseverance,  an  obedient  and  or- 
derly disposition,  and  correct  moral  deportment,  are 
such  essential  qualifications  that  candidates  know- 
ingly deficient  in  any  of  these  respects  should  not, 
as  many  do,  subject  themselves  and  their  friends  to 
the  chances  of  future  mortification  and  disappoint- 
ment by  accepting  appointments  at  the  academy 
and  entering  upon  a  course  which  they  can  not  suc- 
cessfully pursue." 

This  is  good,  wholesome  advice  from  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  to  aspirants  for  military  glory  at  West 
Point. 

Going  somewhat  into  the  details  of  this  very  im- 
portant  subject,  it  must  be  remembered  that  by 


12  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

suitable  preparation  is  meant  not  only  that  you  are 
properly  prepared  to  pass  the  entrance  examination, 
but  it  means  that  you  should  be  partially  prepared 
on  a  portion  of  the  course  pursued  after  entering. 
You  will  see,  by  referring  to  the  course  of  study  (see 
Appendix),  that  during  the  first  year  the  course  in 
mathematics  goes  through  algebra,  geometry,  trigo- 
nometry, surveying,  and  a  portion  of  analytical 
geometry. 

Besides  this,  a  portion  of  the  French  and  Eng- 
lish courses  is  studied.  You  will  admit  that  there 
is  not  another  institution  in  this  country  that  at- 
tempts to  give  thorough  instruction  in  algebra, 
geometry,  trigonometry,  and  surveying  in  a  single 
year.  It  seems  to  be  assumed  at  West  Point  that 
cadets  have  a  fair  knowledge  of  many  of  these  sub- 
jects, and  hence  they  are  gone  over  very  rapidly, 
similar  to  a  "  general  review,"  but  the  most  thorough 
knowledge  is  exacted  of  the  cadet.  There  can  be 
no  shirking,  for  if  the  why  and  wherefore  of  each 
point  is  not  known  you  will  suffer  accordingly. 
Hence  it  would  be  well  for  you  not  to  enter  the 
academy  until  you  have  more  or  less  mastered  a 
portion  of  the  course  of  study  pursued  the  first  year 
after  entrance.  Also,  note  the  words,  "  good  natural 
capacity"  and  "industrious  habits."     Many  go  to 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  13 

West  Point  and  pass  excellent  entrance  examina- 
tions, and  yet  are  discharged  for  deficiency  in  stud- 
ies in  less  than  a  year.  In  some  cases  this  is  due 
to  what  is  vulgarly  known  as  "  cramming  "  for  the 
entrance  examination,  and  neglecting  to  be  pre- 
pared on  subjects  of  higher  mathematics.  In  other 
cases  it  is  due  to  careful  preparation  for  entrance, 
and  lack  of  natural  capacity  to  grasp  the  meaning 
of  more  advanced  studies. 

It  is  safe  to  predict  that  a  boy  with  only  an 
average  capacity  for  mathematics,  and  who,  upon 
entering  the  academy,  has  never  studied  algebra, 
will  be  found  deficient  in  mathematics  inside  of  six 
months.  Again,  it  is  equally  safe  to  predict  that  if 
you  have  an  average  capacity  for  mathematics,  and 
have  a  fair  knowledge  of  algebra,  geometry,  and 
trigonometry  upon  entering,  and  are  possessed  of 
"industrious  habits"  and  an  "aptitude  for  study," 
you  will '  finish  successfully  your  course  at  the 
academy. 

So,  unless  you  have  an  unusually  brilliant 
mathematical  mi?id,  do  not  enter  the  academy  un- 
til you  have  mastered  portions  of  the  mathematical 
studies  just  mentioned.  If  your  natural  capabilities 
in  this  line  are  below  the  average,  do  not  attempt  to 
enter  at  all,  no  matter  what  your  habits  are  or  what 


14  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

you  have  studied,  for  you  will  be  sure  sooner  or 
later  to  subject  yourself  and  your  friends  to  "  mor- 
tification and  disappointment." 

No  matter  how  brilliant  the  cadet  may  be  it  will 
be  a  great  advantage  to  him  if,  before  entering, 
he  has  studied  a  considerable  portion  of  the  first 
year's  course,  as  the  majority  of  cadets  discharged 
for  deficiency  in  studies  fail  inside  of  the  first 
year. 

It  is  perfectly  immaterial  to  the  Government 
whether  you  succeed  or  fail,  for  there  are  plenty  of 
young  men  waiting  to  fill  your  place.  All  ranks 
and  stations  are  leveled  at  the  United  States  Mili- 
tary Academy,  and  each  cadet  must  stand  on  his 
own  merits  as  shown  by  his  individual  work,  for  he 
will  receive  no  undue  credit  on  account  of  the  rank 
or  prominence  of  his  parents. 

To  give  a  tangible  idea  of  the  strictness  of  the 
examinations,  it  may  be  stated  in  general  terms  that 
of  all  the  young  men  who  attempt  to  pass  the  en- 
trance examination  about  one  third  are  rejected. 

Of  all  cadets  who  succeed  in  passing  this  exam- 
ination over  one  third  are  found  deficient,  and  are 
discharged  before  completing  the  four  years'  course. 
In  other  words,  only  about  one  third  of  the  young 
men  who  receive  appointments  to  West  Point  sue- 


FROM  THE   MILITARY  ACADEMY.  15 

ceed  in  finishing  the  course  and  receive  commissions 
in  the  army. 

The  foregoing  remarks  may  seem  unnecessarily 
severe  and  emphatic,  but  the  facts  stated  certainly 
justify  them.  It  is  hoped  that  candidates  will  not 
be  unduly  discouraged,  for  it  is  better  to  know  the 
truth  before  entering  than  to  learn  it  afterward  by 
hard  knocks  and  sad  experience.  "  Forewarned  is 
forearmed." 

Expenses  Prior  to  Entrance. 

All  expenses  of  appointees  to  the  Military  Acad- 
emy prior  to  reporting  to  the  superintendent,  June 
15th  or  August  31st,  must  be  borne  by  the  applicant. 
In  the  cases  of  successful  candidates,  parents  are 
recommended  to  furnish  only  sufficient  money  to 
cover  traveling  expenses  to  the  academy. 

Character  of  Entrance  Examinations. 

The  following  will  give  a  general  idea  of  the 
scope  of  the  examination  candidates  must  pass  to 
enter  the  academy : 

Physical  Examination. 

Every  candidate  is  subjected  to  a  rigid  physical 
examination,  and  if  there  is  found  to  exist  in  him 


16  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

any  of  the  following  causes  of  disqualification  to 
such  a  degree  as  would  immediately,  or  at  no  very 
distant  period,  impair  his  efficiency,  he  is  rejected. 

1.  Feeble  constitution  and  muscular  tenuity; 
unsound  health  from  whatever  cause ;  indications  of 
former  disease ;  glandular  swellings  or  other  symp- 
toms of  scrofula. 

2.  Chronic  cutaneous  affections,  especially  of  the 
scalp. 

3.  Severe  injuries  of  the  bones  of  the  head  ;  con- 
vulsions. 

4.  Impaired  vision  from  whatever  cause ;  inflam- 
matory affections  of  the  eyelids;  immobility  or 
irregularity  of  the  iris ;  fistula  lachrymalis,  etc. 

5.  Deafness ;  copious  discharge  from  the  ears. 

6.  Loss  of  many  teeth ;  or  the  teeth  generally 
unsound. 

7.  Impediment  of  speech. 

8.  Want  of  due  capacity  of  the  chest,  and  other 
indications  of  a  liability  to  a  pulmonic  disease. 

9.  Impaired  or  inadequate  efficiency  of  one  or 
both  of  the  superior  extremities  on  account  of  frac- 
tures, especially  of  the  clavicle,  contraction  of  a 
joint,  extenuation,  deformity,  etc. 

10.  An  unusual  excurvature  or  incurvature  of 
the  spine. 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  17 

11.  Hernia. 

12.  A  varicose  state  of  the  veins  of  the  scrotum 
or  spermatic  cord  (when  large),  sarcocele,  hydrocele, 
hemorrhoids,  fistulas. 

13.  Impaired  or  inadequate  efficiency  of  one  or 
both  of  the  inferior  extremities  on  account  of  vari- 
cose veins,  fractures,  malformation  (flat  feet,  etc.), 
lameness,  contraction,  unequal  length,  bunions,  over- 
lying or  supernumerary  toes,  etc. 

14.  Ulcers,  or  uusound  cicatrices  of  ulcers  likely 
to  break  out  afresh. 

Academical  Examination. 

Beading. — In  reading,  candidates  must  be  able 
to  read  understandingly,  with  proper  accent  and 
emphasis. 

Writing  and  Orthography. — In  writing  and  or- 
thography they  must  be  able,  from  dictation,  to 
write  sentences  from  standard  pieces  of  English 
literature,  both  prose  and  poetry,  sufficient  in  num- 
ber to  test  their  qualifications  both  in  handwriting 
and  orthography. 

Arithmetic. — In  arithmetic  they  must  be  able  : 

1.  To  explain,  accurately  and  clearly,  its  objects, 
and  the  manner  of  writing  and  reading  numbers — 
entire,  fractional,  compound,  or  denominate. 


18  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

2.  To  perform  with  facility  and  accuracy  the 
various  operations  of  addition,  subtraction,  multi- 
plication, and  division  of  whole  numbers,  abstract 
and  compound  or  denominate,  giving  the  rule  for 
each  operation,  with  its  reasons ,  and  also  the  differ- 
ent methods  of  proving  the  accuracy  of  the  work. 

3.  To  explain  the  meaning  of  reduction — its 
different  kinds,  its  application  to  denominate  num- 
bers in  reducing  them  from  a  higher  to  a  lower 
denomination  and  the  reverse,  and  to  equivalent 
decimals ;  to  give  the  rule  for  each  case,  with  its 
reasons,  and  to  apply  readily  these  rules  to  practical 
examples  of  each  kind. 

4.  To  explain  the  nature  of  prime  numbers  and 
factors  of  a  number,  of  a  common  divisor  of  two  or 
more  numbers,  particularly  of  their  greatest  common 
divisor,  with  its  use,  and  to  give  the  rule,  ivith  its 
reasons,  for  obtaining  it;  also  the  meaning  of  a 
common  multiple  of  several  numbers,  particularly 
of  their  least  common  multiple,  and  its  use,  and  to 
give  the  rule,  with  its  reasons,  for  obtaining  it,  and 
to  apply  each  of  these  rules  to  examples. 

5.  To  explain  the  nature  of  fractions — common 
or  vulgar  and  decimal ;  to  define  the  various  kinds 
of  fractions,  with  the  distinguishing  properties  of 
each ;  to  give  all  the  rules  for  their  reduction,  par- 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  19 

ticularly  from  mixed  to  improper  and  the  reverse, 
from  compound  to  complex  or  simple,  to  their 
lowest  terms,  to  a  common  denominator,  from  com- 
mon to  decimal  and  the  reverse ;  for  their  addition, 
subtraction,  multiplication,  and  division,  with  the 
reason  for  each  change  of  rule,  and  to  apply  each 
rule  to  examples. 

6.  To  define  the  terms  ratio  and  proportion ;  to 
give  the  properties  of  proportion  and  the  rules,  and 
their  reasons,  for  stating  and  solving  questions  in 
both  simple  and  compound  proportion  or  single 
and  double  rule  of  three,  and  to  apply  these  rules  to 
examples. 

7.  The  candidates  must  not  only  know  the  prin- 
ciples and  rules  referred  to  above,  but  they  are  re- 
quired to  possess  such  a  thorough  understanding  of 
all  the  fundamental  operations  of  arithmetic  as  will 
enable  them  to  combine  the  various  principles  in 
the  solution  of  any  complex  problem  which  can  be 
solved  by  methods  of  arithmetic.  In  other  words, 
they  must  possess  such  a  complete  knowledge  of 
arithmetic  as  will  enable  them  to  take  up  at  once 
the  higher  branches  of  mathematics  without  further 
study  of  arithmetic. 

8.  It  is  to  be  understood  that  the  examination 
in  these  branches  may  be  either  written  or  oral,  or 


20  THREE   ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

partly  written  or  partly  oral;  that  the  definitions 
and  rules  must  be  given  fully  and  accurately ;  and 
that  the  work  of  all  examples,  whether  upon  the 
blackboard,  slate,  or  paper,  must  be  written  plainly 
and  in  full,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  to  show  clearly 
the  mode  of  solution. 

The  following  examples  and  questions  in  arith- 
metic are  a  few  of  those  which  have  been  used  at 
past  examinations ;  they  are  given  in  order  to  in- 
dicate more  clearly  what  is  required,  and  it  should 
be  distinctly  understood  that  entirely  different  ones 
are  used  each  year. 

Multiply  4-32  by  -00012. 

Explain  the  reason  for  placing  the  decimal  point 
in  the  answer  (the  rule  for  so  doing  is  not  the 
reason). 

5£  +  3  -  0-725 
Reduce  to  an  equivalent  deci- 

mal. 

Divide  3380321  by  MDCCXCIX,  and  express 
the  quotient  by  the  Roman  system  of  notation. 

Change  *013  to  an  equivalent  fraction  whose  de- 
nominator is  135. 

Find  the  greatest  common  divisor  of  26£,  28 J, 
and  29J. 


NIVERSITY 

CALIFOf^> 
FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  21 

How  many  men  would  be  required  to  cultivate  a 
field  of  2§  acres  in  5^  days  of  10  hours  each,  if  each 
man  completed  77  square  yards  in  9  hours  ? 

Separate  772f  into  three  numbers  which  shall  be 
in  the  same  proportion  as  2^-,  y^,  y*^. 

Five  cubic  feet  of  gold  weigh  98*20  times  as 
much  as  a  cubic  foot  of  water,  and  2  cubic  feet  of 
copper  weigh  18  times  as  much  as  a  cubic  foot  of 
water :  how  many  cubic  feet  of  copper  will  weigh  as 
much  as  -J  of  a  cubic  inch  of  gold  ? 

Find  the  least  common  multiple  for  the  num- 
bers f ,  2-1,  5-25,  f. 

A  wins  9  games  out  of  15  when  playing  against 
B,  and  16  out  of  25  when  placing  against  C  :  how 
many  games  out  of  the  118  should  C  win  playing 
against  B  ? 

A  and  B  run  a  race,  their  rates  of  running  being 
as  17  to  18  ;  A  runs  2 J  miles  in  16  minutes  48  sec- 
onds, and  B  runs  the  entire  distance  in  34  minutes  : 
what  was  the  entire  distance  ? 

A  and  B  can  do  a  piece  of  work  in  4  hours,  A 
and  C  in  3f  hours,  B  and  C  in  5^-  hours :  in  what 
time  can  A  do  it  alone  ? 

English  shillings  are  coined  from  a  metal  which 
contains  37  parts  of  silver  to  3  parts  of  alloy ;  1 
pound   of   this   metal   is   coined  into  66  shillings. 


22  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

The  United  States  silver  dollar  weighs  412-5  grains, 
and  consists  of  9  parts  silver  to  1  of  alloy.  What 
fraction  of  the  United  States  dollar  will  contain  the 
same  amount  of  silver  as  one  English  shilling? 

Give  the  rule  for  reducing  a  decimal  of  a  given 
denomination  to  integers  of  lower  denominations. 

What  is  the  effect  of  dividing  the  denominator 
of  a  fraction  by  a  whole  number,  and  why  ? 

Explain  the  difference  between  a  common  frac- 
tion and  a  decimal. 

What  is  the  effect  of  annexing  a  cipher  to  a  deci- 
mal, and  why? 

If  the  same  number  be  subtracted  from  both 
terms  of  an  improper  fraction,  what  will  be  the 
effect?    Why? 

Give  the  rule  for  reducing  a  common  fraction  to 
an  equivalent  decimal,  and  explain  why  the  result- 
ing decimal  will  be  equal  to  the  common  fraction 
from  which  it  is  obtained. 

Give  the  rule  for  dividing  one  decimal  by  an- 
other, and  explain  why  the  decimal  point  in  the 
quotient  is  placed  where  the  rule  directs. 

Define  reduction,  and  state  the  different  kinds. 

Grammar.  —  In  English  grammar  candidates 
must  be  able : 

1.  To  define  the  parts  of  speech,  and  give  their 


FROM   THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  23 

classes  and  properties ;  to  give  inflections,  including 
declension,  conjugation,  and  comparison ;  to  give 
the  corresponding  masculine  and  feminine  gender 
nouns;  to  give  and  apply  the  ordinary  rules  of 
syntax. 

2.  To  parse  fully  and  correctly  any  ordinary  sen- 
tence, omitting  rules,  declensions,  comparisons,  and 
principal  parts,  but  giving  the  subject  of  each  verb, 
the  governing  word  of  each  objective  case,  the  word 
for  which  each  pronoun  stands  or  to  which  it  refers, 
the  words  between  which  each  preposition  shows 
the  relation,  precisely  what  each  conjunction  con- 
nects, what  each  adjective  and  adverb  qualifies  or 
limits,  the  construction  of  each  infinitive,  and,  gen- 
erally, showing  a  good  knowledge  of  the  function  of 
each  word  in  the  sentence.  Omissions  will  be  taken 
to  indicate  ignorance. 

3.  To  correct  in  sentences  or  extracts  any  ordi- 
nary grammatical  errors,  such  as  are  mentioned  and 
explained  in  ordinary  grammars. 

It  is  not  required  that  any  particular  gramma- 
rian or  text-book  shall  be  followed  ;  but  rules,  defi- 
nitions, parsing,  and  corrections  must  be  in  accord- 
ance with  good  usage  and  common  sense.  The 
examinations  may  be  written  or  oral,  or  both  writ- 
ten and  oral. 
3 


24  THREE   ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Geography. — Candidates  will  be  required  to  pass 
a  satisfactory  examination,  written  or  oral,  or  both, 
in  geography,  particularly  of  our  own  country.  To 
give  the  candidate  a  clear  idea  of  what  is  required, 
the  following  synopsis  is  added  to  show  the  charac- 
ter and  extent  of  the  examination.  Questions  are 
likely  to  be  asked  involving  the  knowledge  of : 

1.  Definitions  of  geographical  circles,  of  lati- 
tude and  longitude,  of  zones,  and  of  all  the  natural 
divisions  of  the  earth's  surface,  as  islands,  seas, 
capes,  etc. 

2.  The  continental  areas  and  grand  divisions  of 
the  water  of  the  earth's  surface. 

3.  The  grand  divisions  of  the  land — the  large 
bodies  of  water  which  in  part  or  wholly  surround 
them. 

Their  principal  mountains,  location,  direction, 
and  extent ;  the  capes,  from  what  parts  they  project 
and  into  what  waters. 

Their  principal  peninsulas,  location,  and  by  what 
waters  they  are  embraced. 

The  parts  connected  by  an  isthmus,  if  any. 

Their  principal  islands,  location,  and  surround- 
ing waters. 

The  seas,  gulfs,  and  bays,  the  coasts  they  indent, 
and  the  waters  to  which  they  are  subordinate. 


FROM  THE   MILITARY  ACADEMY.  25 

The  straits,  the  lands  they  separate,  and  the 
waters  they  connect. 

Their  principal  rivers,  their  sources,  directions 
of  flow,  and  the  waters  into  which  they  empty. 

Their  principal  lakes,  location,  and  extent. 

4.  The  political  divisions  of  the  grand  divisions. 
Their  names,  locations,  boundaries,  and  capitals ; 

general  questions  of  the  same  character  as  indicated 
in  the  second  section  made  applicable  to  each  of  the 
countries  of  each  of  the  grand  divisions. 

5.  The  United  States. 

The  candidate  should  be  thoroughly  informed  as 
to  its  general  features,  configuration,  location,  and 
boundaries  (both  with  respect  to  neighboring  coun- 
tries and  latitude  and  longitude) ;  its  adjacent 
oceans,  seas,  bays,  gulfs,  sounds,  straits,  and  islands ; 
its  mountain  ranges,  their  location  and  extent ;  the 
sources,  directions,  and  terminations  of  the  impor- 
tant rivers  and  their  principal  tributaries ;  the  lakes, 
and,  in  short,  every  geographical  feature  of  the  coun- 
try as  indicated  above.  The  location  and  termina- 
tion of  important  railroad  lines  and  other  means  of 
communication  from  one  part  of  the  country  to  an- 
other should  not  be  omitted. 

The  States  and  Territories  are  to  be  accurately 
located  with  respect  to  each  other  by  their  bound- 


26  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

aries,  and  as  to  their  order  along  the  Atlantic 
coast,  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  Pacific  coast,  the 
northern  frontier,  the  Mexican  frontier,  and  the 
Mississippi,  Missouri,  and  Ohio  Eivers.     • 

The  boundary  and  other  large  rivers  of  each 
State,  as  well  as  all  other  prominent  geographical 
features,  should  be  known. 

The  names  and  locations  of  their  capitals,  and 
other  important  cities  and  towns,  are  likewise  to  be 
known. 

In  short,  the  knowledge  should  be  so  complete 
that  a  clear  mental  picture  of  the  whole  or  any  part 
of  the  United  States  is  impressed  on  the  mind  of 
the  candidate.  More  weight  is  attached  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  geography  of  the  United  States  than  to 
that  of  all  other  countries  combined. 

History. — The  candidate  should  make  himself 
familiar  with  so  much  of  the  history  of  the  United 
States  as  is  contained  in  the  ordinary  school  his- 
tories. The  examination  may  be  written  or  oral,  or 
partly  written  and  partly  oral,  and  will  usually  con- 
sist of  a  series  of  questions  similar  to  the  following : 

1.  When,  where,  and  by  whom  were  the  original 
thirteen  colonies  settled,  and  what  were  the  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  government  in  each  prior  to  the 
Revolution  ? 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  27 

2.  Various  wars  both  before  and  after  the  Revo- 
lution, their  causes,  prominent  generals,  and  battles 
in  each.     Results  of  each  war. 

3.  The  Presidents  of  the  United  States  in  their 
order,  and  the  leading  events  in  the  administration 
of  each. 

4.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  why- 
formed,  and  when  adopted  ;  powers  in  different 
branches  of  Congress,  qualifications  and  manner  of 
electing  its  members. 

5.  Election  and  qualifications  of  the  President, 
and  his  powers.     Passage  of  bills,  etc. 

Points  in  Regard  to  the  Entrance 
Examination. 

A  general  average  of  about  seventy-five  per  cent 
is  required,  and  no  candidate  having  an  average  in 
any  one  subject  of  less  than  sixty-five  per  cent  will 
be  accepted. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  time  given  to  each  sub- 
ject is  limited,  so  that  if  in  doubt  as  to  a  question  or 
problem,  after  due  thought,  it  is  best  to  number  the 
question  in  its  proper  place,  leaving  a  blank  space 
with  a  view  to  solving  the  problem  later,  and  go  on 
and  finish  the  answers  to  the  questions  which  you 
are  reasonably  sure  will  be  correct.     Then,  if  time 


28  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

permits,  go  back  to  the  doubtful  points  and  attempt 
to  solve  them. 

Always  write  your  number  and  place  of  examina- 
tion on  each  separate  sheet  of  paper.  Number  your 
questions  and  answers  in  their  order,  leaving  a  mar- 
gin of  about  an  inch  on  the  left-hand  side  of  each 
page.  Make  your  answers  clear  and  concise,  writing 
legibly  and  grammatically,  for  your  examination 
papers  may  be  considered  in  determining  your  pro- 
ficiency in  writing,  grammar,  and  spelling.  Com- 
municating with  your  neighbor  or  "cribbing"  is 
alone  cause  for  rejection. 

Number  each  separate  sheet  of  paper  consecu- 
tively, beginning  with  the  first,  and,  if  time  permits, 
after  completing  an  examination,  read  over  the  ques- 
tions to  see  that  you  have  not  misunderstood  any  of 
them.  Go  over  your  work  carefully  and  correct  any 
errors  that  may  have  crept  in.  You  can  not  be  too 
particular  with  a  written  examination. 

Many  institutions  in  this  country  admit  students 
upon  certificates  or  diplomas  received  from  other 
schools,  but  such  is  not  the  case  at  the  Military 
Academy.  Every  candidate  must  pass  the  prescribed 
examination,  and,  if  successful,  he  is  required  to 
take  a  full  four-years'  course,  no  matter  how  many 
diplomas  or  certificates  he  may  possess.     So  it  will 


FROM  THE   MILITARY  ACADEMY.  29 

be  useless  to  present  such  papers  to  the  examining 
board.  There  are,  however,  several  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  West  Point  that  make  a  special  business 
of  preparing  candidates  for  the  entrance  examina- 
tion, and  in  many  instances  money  thus  spent  on  a 
candidate  has  proved  to  be  well  invested. 

When  and  where  the  Examinations  are 
held. 

Boards  for  the  examination  of  appointees  to  the 
United  States  Military  Academy  are  convened  March 
1st  and  July  loth  annually,  at  military  posts  nearest 
the  following  cities — viz.,  Boston,  New  York  city  or 
West  Point,  Baltimore,  Columbus,  Ohio,  Atlanta, 
New  Orleans,  San  Antonio,  Chicago,  St.  Louis, 
Leavenworth,  Kan.,  Omaha,  Keogh,  Mont.,  Chey- 
enne, San  Francisco,  San  Diego,  and  Vancouver. 
Candidates  will  be  directed  to  appear  for  mental 
and  physical  examination  at  the  military  post  near- 
est their  respective  places  of  residence,  and  no  can- 
didate will  be  permitted  to  appear  for  examination 
at  any  other  time  or  place  than  that  specified  in  his 
instructions  from  the  War  Department.  A  candi- 
date who  f ails  physically  will  not  be  examined  men- 
tally. 

As  soon  as  the  preliminary  examination  is  con- 


30  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

eluded,  each  candidate  repairs  to  his  home  and 
awaits  the  notification  of  the  result  of  his  examina- 
tion, which  will  be  sent  from  the  War  Department 
as  soon  as  practicable. 

In  order  to  insure  impartiality,  the  examination 
questions  are  prepared  at  West  Point  and  sent  to 
the  different  boards  under  seal.  The  board  takes 
the  name  of  each  candidate  and  gives  to  him  a  num- 
ber, which  he  places  on  all  his  examination  papers, 
never  putting  his  name  on  them.  The  numbers  and 
corresponding  names  are  immediately  sent  to  the 
War  Department.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  ex- 
amination, the  papers  are  sent  direct  to  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Military  Academy,  where  they  are 
examined  by  the  academic  board.  The  results  of 
the  examination  are  then  sent  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment by  simply  stating  the  number  of  each  success- 
ful candidate  and  place  of  examination.  The  War 
Department  then  finds  the  names  corresponding  to 
the  successful  numbers,  and  issues  directions  for  the 
successful  candidates  to  report  to  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  academy  June  15th  or  August  31st,  de- 
pending on  the  date  of  examination. 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  31 

The  New  Cadet. 

Having  been  duly  notified  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment that  you  have  passed  the  entrance  examina- 
tion, you  will  be  directed  to  report  at  the  academy 
on  a  certain  date,  June  15th  or  August  31st,  depend- 
ing upon  whether  you  were  examined  in  March  or 
July.  Make  such  arrangements  as  will  cause  you  to 
arrive  at  West  Point  on  the  morning  of  the  day  you 
are  directed  to  report.  Upon  arrival,  report  at  once 
to  the  adjutant  of  the  academy.  He  will  receive 
you  kindly  and  have  you  assigned  to  quarters  with- 
out delay,  so  that  you  will  be  at  no  unnecessary 
expense  after  arrival. 

Do  not  burden  your  trunk  with  a  supply  of  use- 
less clothing,  pictures,  bric-a-brac,  etc.  A  year's 
supply  of  underclothing,  a  few  white  shirts,  collars, 
cuffs,  a  dozen  towels,  the  usual  toilet  articles,  and 
one  good  suit  of  clothes  will  be  all  the  personal 
effects  you  need.  Civilian  clothing,  pictures,  orna- 
ments, etc.,  are  not  allowed  in  your  room,  so  such 
things  will  be  utterly  useless.  All  other  necessary 
articles  can  be  obtained  at  the  academy,  of  uniform 
pattern  and  moderate  in  price. 

If  you  are  homesick  it  will  soon  wear  off.  Love 
sickness  is  more  dangerous,  but  rest  assured  at  so 


32  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION". 

young  an  age  it  is  only  "  puppy "  love,  and  will 
readily  die  a  natural  death.  You  may  have  similar 
attacks  while  at  the  academy  or  "  on  furlough,"  but 
they  should  be  strangled  at  your  earliest  conven- 
ience. 

Give  your  relatives  and  friends  to  understand 
that  it  is  a  court-martial  offense  for  a  new  cadet  to 
have  any  one  visit  him  at  the  academy.  A  new 
cadet  or  "  plebe  "  is  literally  "  out  of  sight,"  and  he 
should  avoid  embarrassment  by  discouraging  his 
friends  from  trying  to  see  him.  Have  them  wait 
until  the  end  of  your  first  year,  when  you  become  a 
bold,  dashing  "yearling,"  and  you  will  then  have 
time  to  give  them  a  hearty  welcome  in  "Yearling 
Camp." 

If  you  have  received  previous  military  training 
it  will  be  of  great  advantage  to  you.  At  all  events, 
do  not  be  discouraged.  Start  in  with  a  determina- 
tion to  be  honorable,  respectful  to  your  seniors, 
prompt  and  cheerful  in  the  obedience  of  all  lawful 
orders.  Never  attempt  to  argue  a  point,  or  dispute 
the  correctness  or  legality  of  an  order,  for  experi- 
ence will  teach  you  that  it  is  probably  all  right  even 
if  you  fail  to  see  it.  Remember  also  that  there  are 
no  such  words  as  can't  and  won't  in  a  soldier's 
vocabulary. 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  33 

You  may  meet  with  many  new  and  weird  experi- 
ences, but  stand  up  and  take  them  like  a  man,  and 
you  will  be  honored  and  respected  by  your  com- 
rades. If,  however,  your  honor  or  your  self-respect 
be  called  in  question,  protect  them  at  all  hazards. 

Learn  to  think  for  yourself,  and  think  long  and 
hard  before  asking  assistance.  In  your  studies  you 
will  find  that  explanations  from  your  instructors  are 
expensive  luxuries.  It  is  related  that  every  smile  or 
explanation  granted  a  cadet  lowers  his  mark  about 
twenty  per  cent ;  and,  moreover,  it  gives  the  in- 
structor the  advantage  of  you  by  helping  him  to 
"  size  you  up "  in  reporting  your  abilities  to  the 
academic  board. 

Above  all,  come  to  a  "realizing  sense  of  your 
inferiority  "  as  soon  as  practicable.  Work  hard,  and 
secure  a  high  standing  in  your  class  at  the  end  of 
the  first  six  months,  for  after  this  period  transfers 
are  few  and  far  between,  and  then  with  due  appli- 
cation you  should  be  able  to  hold  your  ground.  It 
is  hard  to  rise  after  the  class  is  once  fairly  arranged, 
but  if  you  get  started  downward  the  odds  are 
against  you,  and  it  seems  as  if  every  one  is  waiting 
to  give  you  a  push  in  that  direction.  It  is  rumored 
also  that  while  the  maximum  mark  in  the  first  sec- 
tion is  three  units,  in  the  lowest  section  of  the  class 


34  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

(the   "immortals")   it   is   but  2-5   units.      Moral: 
Keep  out  of  the  "  immortals." 

Should  you  stand  low  in  your  class,  press  on,  do 
your  best,  remembering  that  many  of  our  most 
noted  generals  have  graduated  near  the  bottom  of 
their  classes.  It  is  sometimes  said  that  it  takes  a 
smarter  man  to  stand  at  the  bottom  of  his  class 
than  it  does  to  graduate  at  the  head  of  it.  Even 
should  you  fail  to  graduate  do  not  grieve  about  it, 
although  it  does  pain  and  surprise  your  friends. 
The  brightest  minds  are  not  always  found  in  bril- 
liant mathematicians.  Cadets  found  deficient  and 
discharged  are  sometimes  head  and  shoulders  the 
mental  and  physical  superiors  of  some  who  graduate. 
You  will  yet  succeed  in  life  if  you  are  made  of  the 
right  kind  of  material.  A  masterly  retreat  shows 
as  much  ability  as  a  hard-earned  victory. 

Pay  of  Cadets. 

The  pay  of  a  cadet  is  forty-five  dollars  per 
month,  to  commence  with  his  admission  into  the 
academy,  and  is  sufficient,  with  proper  economy,  for 
his  support.  No  cadet  is  permitted  to  receive 
money  or  other  supplies  from  any  person  whomso- 
ever without  the  sanction  of  the  superintendent. 
Four  dollars  per  month  are  retained  from  the  pay 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  35 

of  each  cadet,  so  that  upon  graduation  he  will  have 
saved  about  $190,  which  will  go  toward  the  pur- 
chase of  his  uniform  and  equipments  as  a  commis- 
sioned officer. 

The  pay  is  not  actually  turned  over  to  the  cadet 
each  month,  but  he  has  what  is  known  as  a  "  check  " 
or  account  book,  upon  which  is  entered  each  month 
the  amount  of  his  pay.  From  this  is  deducted  the 
cost  of  his  board,  washing,  clothing,  text-books,  etc., 
and  the  balance  is  carried  forward  to  the  next 
month.  The  clothing  is  furnished  and  the  washing 
done  by  the  academy  at  the  lowest  possible  figure. 
The  cadets  all  board  at  the  mess  hall,  an  establish- 
ment fitted  with  all  modern  improvements  and 
under  the  immediate  charge  of  an  army  officer,  who 
manages  it  in  an  orderly  and  economical  manner. 
The  entire  cost  of  running  the  mess  hall  is  divided 
pro  rata  among  the  cadets,  the  board  of  each  rang- 
ing from  fifteen  to  eighteen  dollars  per  month. 
The  food  is  excellent  in  quality,  sufficient  in  quan- 
tity, and  surpasses  in  cleanliness  and  variety  that 
of  any  similar  establishment  in  this  country. 

The  tuition  is  absolutely  free,  but  parents  are 
required  to  deposit  with  the  treasurer  of  the  acad- 
emy about  one  hundred  dollars  upon  their  son's 
entrance,  which  sum  is  placed  to  his  credit  to  cover 


36  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

the  expense  of  his  first  outfit  of  uniform,  bedding, 
and  books.  No  money  should  be  sent  to  a  cadet 
unless  for  very  urgent  reasons  previously  approved 
by  the  superintendent.  He  has  no  use  for  money, 
and  can  spend  it  only  at  places  and  for  purposes 
prohibited  by  the  regulations  of  the  academy. 
Other  necessary  supplies  may  be  sent  on  approval, 
but  cadets  wear  no  jewelry,  and  eatables  must  be 
taken  to  the  mess  hall  and  regularly  served. 

The  pay  of  each  cadet  for  the  months  of  July 
and  August  of  his  second  year  is  given  to  him  in 
advance,  and  may  be  used  by  him  during  his  two 
months'  furlough  which  is  granted  at  that  time. 

At  the  end  of  the  four-years'  course,  upon  grad- 
uation, graduates  are  given  their  retained  pay  and 
all  money  saved  by  them  from  their  regular  pay  as 
shown  by  the  balance  on  their  account  books. 

Length  of  Service  in  the  Army. 

In  the  Appendix  will  be  found  the  articles  of 
agreement  into  which  a  cadet  enters,  binding  him 
to  serve  in  the  army  for  at  least  eight  years,  unless 
sooner  discharged.  Also  his  oath  of  allegiance  to 
uphold  and  defend  the  Constitution,  and  to  serve 
the  United  States  against  all  its  enemies  whom- 
soever.    In  time  of  peace,  however,  the  resignation 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  3? 

of  a  cadet  or  an  officer  is  always  accepted,  so  that  in 
reality  he  can  close  his  military  career  at  any  de- 
sired period.  In  time  of  war  or  great  public  danger 
his  services  might  be  needed,  and  he  would  then 
doubtless  be  required  to  fulfill  his  engagement. 

Although  a  West  Point  education  fits  a  man  for 
almost  any  walk  in  life,  very  few  choose  to  throw  off 
the  yoke  of  a  soldier  to  take  up  some  other  profes- 
sion. The  average  graduate  leaves  his  old  iron 
Alma  Mater  with  a  high  sense  of  honor,  manly  in 
deportment,  and  well  grounded  in  the  profession  of 
arms.  He  has  lost  touch  with  the  friends  of  his 
youth,  his  sweethearts  are  all  married,  the  old 
schoolhouse  and  other  familiar  landmarks  seem  to 
have  shrunk  in  size  and  importance.  In  short,  all 
seems  changed,  and  he  is  imbued  with  the  one  idea 
of  joining  his  regiment  and  continuing  his  life  as  a 

soldier. 

Academic  Duties. 

The  academic  duties  and  exercises  commence  on 
the  1st  of  September  and  continue  until  about  the 
middle  of  June.  Examinations  of  the  several  classes 
are  held  in  January  and  June,  and  at  the  former 
such  of  the  new  cadets  as  are  found  proficient  in 
studies  and  conduct  are  given  the  particular  stand- 
ing in  their  classes  to  which  their  merits  entitle 


38  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION". 

them.  After  either  examination  cadets  found  de- 
ficient in  studies  or  conduct  are  discharged  and 
sent  to  their  homes,  unless  for  special  reasons  in 
each  case  the  academic  board  should  otherwise  rec- 
ommend. The  traveling  expenses  of  cadets  dis- 
charged in  this  manner  are  paid  by  the  Government. 
The  expenses  of  cadets  who  resign  or  who  are  dis- 
missed are  not  paid  by  the  Government.  Similar 
examinations  are  held  every  January  and  June 
during  the  four  years  comprising  the  course  of 
study.  These  examinations  are  very  thorough,  and 
require  from  the  cadet  a  close  and  persevering  at- 
tention to  study,  without  evasion  or  slighting  of  any 
part  of  the  course,  as  no  relaxation  of  any  kind  is 
made  by  the  examiners. 

It  seems  unnecessary,  in  a  book  of  this  character, 
to  go  into  the  details  of  the  work  required  of  each 
class.  A  good  general  idea  of  the  requirements 
of  each  year  may  be  had  by  referring  to  the  Appen- 
dix, where  the  course  of  study  pursued  is  given  in 
tabulated  form,  and  by  noting  the  following  cursory 
review  of  the  average  cadet's  career.  The  various 
and  multitudinous  regulations  and  customs  of  the 
academy  will  be  grasped  gradually  as  the  cadet  ad- 
vances in  his  career,  and  it  does  not  seem  expedient  to 
attempt  to  elucidate  them  in  a  volume  of  this  scope. 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  39 

The  first  two  months  (July  and  August)  are 
spent  in  camp,  when  studying  is  tabooed,  all  time 
being  devoted  to  his  preliminary  practical  military 
training.  This  is  known  as  "  Plebe  "  Camp.  Here 
he  is  drilled  in  infantry  and  foot  artillery,  and  when 
sufficiently  advanced  is  introduced  to  his  duties  as  a 
sentinel  on  guard  both  day  and  night.  If  he  has 
had  any  previous  training  in  this  line  it  will  be 
greatly  to  his  advantage,  for  there  is  so  much  to 
learn  that  is  entirely  new  that  his  life  may  seem 
more  or  less  of  a  burden  to  him,  for  it  is  all  work 
and  no  play  to  the  new  cadet.  In  fact,  the  life  of  a 
cadet  at  the  academy  for  the  first  year  is  a  series  of 
hard  knocks,  but  in  the  end  they  bear  good  fruit. 
In  the  past  ten  years  the  custom  of  hazing  has  dis- 
appeared. Many  new  cadets  will  think,  doubtless, 
that  the  discipline  is  so  strict  that  hazing  could  not 
add  much  to  their  burdens.  To  many  of  the  older 
graduates  the  system  of  hazing  seems  to  be  a  good 
thing,  and  they  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  disci- 
pline of  the  academy  is  on  the  wane  since  it  was  abol- 
ished. In  fact,  hazing  would  be  a  good  thing  if  the 
line  could  be  drawn  at  a  certain  point;  but  as  it 
could  not  be,  it  was  decided  to  cut  out  the  custom, 
root  and  branch. 

In  September  the  new  cadet  goes  to  the  bar- 


40  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

racks,  settles  down  to  work — and  hard  work,  too,  will 
he  find  it — for  the  remainder  of  the  year ;  but  if  he 
possesses  the  capacity  and  habits  already  commented 
upon,  he  will  probably  pull  through  to  the  follow- 
ing June,  when  he  will  have — a  vacation?  Not 
at  all.  He  will  find  himself  in  camp  again  doing 
guard  duty,  drilling,  "  learning  how  to  sleep  on 
the  ground,"  and  wondering  when  those  new 
cadets  will  get  enough  beaten  into  their  heads  to 
go  on  guard  and  make  it  easier  for  him.  In  the 
vernacular  of  the  academy  this  is  called  "  Year- 
ling "  Camp. 

During  this  encampment,  however,  it  will  not 
be  all  work  to  the  average  cadet ;  he  will  be  per- 
mitted to  go  to  the  weekly  hops  which  take  place 
every  summer.  He  can  get  a  pass  occasionally  to 
leave  camp  and  meander  down  "  Flirtation  Walk," 
see  the  boats  go  by,  and  possibly  meet  his  "  cousin," 
who  will  assist  him  by  her  interesting  ways  to  enjoy 
his  gorgeous  surroundings. 

September  finds  him  hard  at  work  on  the  second 
year's  course.  Pleasure  is  discarded,  for  the  studies 
this  year  are  really  more  difficult  than  those  in 
the  first  year,  but  he  has  learned  how  to  study 
and  how  to  recite,  so  his  work  is  no  harder  than 
before. 


•    FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  41 

Successfully  passing  his  January  and  June  ex- 
aminations, he  is  exultant : 

"  For  the  furlough  has  come, 
For  two  months  he'll  be  free 
From  the  deuced  reveille, 
And  the  boom  of  the  evening  gun." 

During  the  months  of  July  and  August  of  this 
year  he  is  released  from  all  duties  at  the  academy, 
and  may  spend  his  time  where  he  chooses. 

The  realization  of  this  short  vacation,  coupled 
with  its  anticipation,  is  next  to  the  most  important 
and  enjoyable  event  in  a  cadet's  career.  For  two 
long  years  he  has  been  confined  at  hard  work  to  this 
small  but  lovely  military  spot.  He  returns  promptly 
the  last  of  August,  climbing  the  well-known  hill, 
grip  and  cane  in  hand,  silk  hat  crowning  all,  which, 
by  the  way,  will  be  torn  or  kicked  into  samples  by 
his  gray-coated  comrades  on  the  hill.  September  1st 
finds  him  pinned  down  to  his  room  in  the  old  gray 
barracks,  where  he  "  bones  "  away  on  the  third  year's 
course.  This  year's  course  will  be  more  interesting 
to  him  than  either  of  the  two  that  has  gone  before, 
but  to  succeed  he  will  find  he  must  remember  all  he 
has  learned  in  the  first  two  years,  as  direct  applica- 
tion of  it  is  made  in  this  as  well  as  in  the  following 
year,  and  he  will  not  have  time  to  turn  to  the  calcu- 


42  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

lus  to  find  out  what  the  author  of  his  "  phil "  means 
by  saying,  "  By  differentiating  this  expression  we 
easily  get  this  expression." 

Having  finished  philosophy  and  chemistry,  he 
heaves  a  sigh  of  relief,  and  June  finds  him  in  camp 
again  as  a  first  classman  and  only  one  more  year  to 
stay.  During  this  encampment  his  military  work 
is  of  a  much  higher  order,  being  usually  on  duty 
as  a  cadet  officer  and  engaged  in  helping  to  instruct 
the  other  cadets  as  well  as  learning  practical  lessons 
himself  of  a  higher  nature.  He  feels  the  dignity  of 
his  position,  attends  the  summer  hops,  flirts  with 
the  charming  damsels  who  -visit  the  post  at  this 
season,  and  enjoys  generally  what  is  termed  "  First 
Class  "  Camp.  He  looks  with  more  or  less  pity  on 
the  "plebes"and  "  yearlings,"  who  have  only  just 
commenced  their  military  careers,  remembering  the 
while  that  this  is  his  last  camp  at  the  academy. 

Camp  is  "  broken,"  and  he  returns  to  barracks 
and  academic  buildings  with  a  strong  heart  for 
study,  as  he  is  now  on  the  "  home  stretch,"  and  his 
commission  is  in  sight.  He  is  hardened  to  work  by 
this  time,  and  moves  along  with  his  daily  duties 
with  apparent  ease.  As  the  following  spring  opens 
and  the  ice-bound  Hudson  breaks  her  chains  his 
studies  seem  to  grow  harder,  and  he  longs  to  break 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  43 

away  and  join  the  birds  in  their  frolics,  but  the  end 
is  too  near  now  to  give  way  to  such  idle  thoughts. 
Then  comes  graduation,  when  he  "doffs  the  cadet 
and  dons  the  brevet,"  for  in  his  hand  he  holds  his 
hard-earned  diploma  and  an  appointment  as  a  sec- 
ond lieutenant  in  the  regular  army. 

It  may  appear  from  this  rapid  sketch  that  the 
life  of  a  cadet  is  one  of  continual  study,  with  but 
little  rest  or  recreation  during  the  four  years.  In 
the  main  this  appearance  is  a  reality,  for  the  only 
time  a  cadet  is  allowed  to  leave  the  academy  is  dur- 
ing the  two  months  at  the  close  of  his  second  year, 
and  possibly  two  or  three  days  at  Christmas.  Eeci- 
tations  or  drills  take  place  every  day  of  the  year, 
Sundays  and  national  holidays  excepted. 

The  only  time  a  cadet  has  to  himself  is  a  por- 
tion of  Saturday  afternoon  and  evening,  about  half 
an  hour  after  each  meal,  and  during  the  winter 
months  about  an  hour  before  supper.  Sunday 
morning  he  reluctantly  goes  to  chapel,  and  Sunday 
afternoon  and  evening  he  spends  preparing  Mon- 
day's lessons.  He  rises  at  6  A.  m.  and  retires  at  10 
p.  m.  each  day. 

His  drills  and  gymnasium  work  afford  him  suffi- 
cient bodily  exercise,  and  in  the  past  year  he  seems 
to  have  employed  his  spare  time  Saturdays  playing 


44  THREE   ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

baseball  and  football.  But  it  may  be  relied  on 
that  unless  the  course  of  study  is  very  much  modi- 
fied the  average  cadet  will  not  have  time  to  engage 
in  these  games,  as  is  done  at  many  colleges,  without 
losing  ground  in  his  classes,  to  say  the  least;  for 
there  is  more  hard  studying  and  more  thorough 
work  of  all  kinds  accomplished  at  the  academy  than 
at  any  other  institution  in  this  country  in  the  same 
space  of  time. 

During  the  months  of  July  and  August  of  each 
year  all  cadets  except  the  "  furlough  class  "  live  in 
camp,  which  is  given  up  to  practical  work  in  the 
line  of  the  military  profession ;  besides  the  regular 
drills  and  guard  duty,  the  cadets  learn  and  practice 
much  that  pertains  to  the  life  of  a  soldier  in  actual 
campaign. 

Assignments  after  Graduation. 

When  a  cadet  shall  receive  a  regular  degree  from 
the  academic  board,  after  going  through  the  classes, 
he  is  considered  as  among  the  candidates  for  a  com- 
mission in  the  engineer  corps,  artillery,  infantry,  or 
cavalry,  according  to  the  duties  he  may  be  judged 
competent  to  perform.  As  a  rule,  the  cadets  choose 
the  particular  arm  of  the  service  and  regiment  or 
corps  according  to  their  class  standing  at  gradua- 


FROM   THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  45 

tion.  The  first  three  or  four  are  assigned  to  the 
engineer  corps,  about  the  next  ten  choose  the  artil- 
lery, and  the  remainder  choose  cavalry  or  infantry. 
Formerly  some  regiments  were  considered  more 
desirable  than  others,  as  there  was  more  chance  for 
promotion  in  them,  but  now  that  promotion  is 
lineal  instead  of  regimental  no  regiment  possesses 
any  real  advantages  over  another.  Some  have  better 
stations  than  others,  but  regiments  change  station 
every  few  years,  and  in  the  end  each  enjoys  its  share 
of  good  stations. 

Graduates  for  whom  there  are  no  vacancies  in 
the  army  are  commissioned  additional  second  lieu- 
tenants, receiving  the  pay  and  allowances  of  second 
lieutenants  until  vacancies  do  exist.  So  that  all 
who  graduate  are  eventually  sure  of  their  commis- 
sions as  second  lieutenants. 

Join  your  station  in  due  time,  and  go  to  the  ad- 
jutant's office  after  guard  mounting  of  the  day  you 
are  directed  to  report.  Appear  in  proper  uniform, 
and  with  soldierly  bearing  present  your  order  of 
assignment  to.  the  regimental  adjutant  and  report  to 
him  for  duty.  After  being  formally  presented  to  the 
commanding  officer,  report  to  the  quartermaster  for 
assignment  to  quarters.  You  should  already  have 
provided  yourself  with  furnishings  for  a  bedroom. 


46  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  reporting,  you  should 
make  formal  calls  upon  your  commanding  officer 
and  upon  the  captain  of  your  company  at  their  re- 
spective quarters.  Rather  than  confine  your  con- 
versation to  West  Point  topics,  talk  about  the 
weather. 

If  you  are  married,  leave  your  wife  at  home,  or 
in  the  nearest  town,  until  you  can  provide  a  suitable 
home  for  her.  A  newly  fledged  second  lieutenant 
is  very  much  like  a  "  plebe  "  at  the  academy,  and  he 
will  be  much  better  off  without  a  wife  until  he  has 
had  a  little  experience  in  his  new  sphere  of  life. 

Remember  also  that  the  men  in  your  company 
are  not  "  plebes,"  but  are  more  like  children,  and 
should  be  treated  kindly  but  firmly,  in  order  that 
their  respect  and  confidence  may  be  gained  as  well 
as  their  obedience.  Even  should  your  first  sergeant 
be  disposed  to  give  you  "  points,"  do  not  put  him 
in  arrest  for  disrespect,  for  it  is  quite  possible  that 
your  captain  would  rather  dispense  with  your  serv- 
ices than  with  those  of  his  first  sergeant.  Gradually 
you  will  convince  the  first  sergeant  that  you  know 
a  thing  or  two ;  but  do  not  imagine  that  you  know  it 
all,  for  you  will  soon  learn  that  your  captain,  and 
even  the  first  sergeant,  know  more  than  you  thought 
they  did. 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  47 

The  following  copies  of  the  questions  at  the  en- 
trance examination  held  at  West  Point  in  June,  1886, 
will  give  the  candidate  a  fair  idea  of  what  may  be 
required  at  future  examinations  : 

Examination  in  Aeithmetic. 

1.  What  decimal  fraction,  multiplied  by  175, 
will  be  equal  to  the  sum  of  £,  Jf,  ff ,  and  3£  ? 

2.  How  many  miles  will  a  plowman  walk  in 
plowing  an  acre  if  each  furrow  is  one  foot  in 
width? 

147         7952 

3.  If  29  — --  X   tzzzTi  ke  subtracted  from  each 

876o       -00004 

17 
of   the  two  numbers  475  —  and  210009,  will  the 

iy 

ratio  of  the  two  remainders,  taken  in  order,  be  the 

same  as  that  of  the  two  numbers?    Why? 

4.  On  a  centigrade  thermometer  the  freez- 
ing point  is  zero,  and  the  boiling  point  is  100°. 
On  a  Fahrenheit  thermometer  the  freezing  point 
is  32°,  and  the  boiling  point  is  212°.  What  de- 
gree on  a  centigrade  corresponds  to  68°  Fahren- 
heit? 

5.  How  many  pounds  of  tea  are  equivalent  to 
10^-  pounds  of  butter,  when  5  pounds  of  tea  are 
equivalent  to  14  pounds  of  coffee  ;  9  of  coffee  to  20 


48  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

of  sugar;  10  of  sugar  to  6  of  cheese;  and  10  of 
cheese  to  9  of  butter  ? 

G.  If  44^-  guineas  weigh  one  pound  Troy,  and  32 
half-pennies  weigh  one  pound  avoirdupois,  what  is 
the  difference,  in  grains,  between  the  weights  of  a 
guinea  and  a  half -penny  ? 

7.  Twenty-one  thousand  dollars  is  to  be  divided 
among  A,  B,  C,  and  D.  A's  share  is  to  B's  as  2  :  3, 
B's  to  C's  as  4:5,  C's  to  D's  as  6:7.  What  will 
each  receive  ? 

8.  If  30  men  working  11  hours  a  day  can  do  a 
piece  of  work  in  a  certain  time,  how  many  more 
must  be  employed  when  it  is  half  done  in  order  to 
finish  it  in  the  same  time,  all  working  10  hours  a 
day  on  the  last  half  ? 

9.  The  value  of  a  pound  of  gold  is  14  times  that 
of  a  pound  of  silver,  and  the  weights  of  bars  of 
equal  size  of  gold  and  silver  are  as  19 :  10.  Find 
the  value  of  a  bar  of  silver  equal  in  size  to  a  bar  of 
gold  worth  £1,750. 

Examination  in  Writing  and  Orthography. 

Write  and  punctuate  the  following : 

It  was  not  only  by  the  efficiency  of  the  restraints 
imposed  on  the  royal  prerogative  that  England  was 
advantageously   distinguished    from    most    of    the 


FROM  THE   MILITARY  ACADEMY.  49 

neighboring  countries.  A  peculiarity  equally  im- 
portant, though  less  noticed,  was  the  relation  in 
which  the  nobility  stood  here  to  the  commonalty. 
There  was  a  strong  hereditary  aristocracy,  but  it 
was  of  all  hereditary  aristocracies  the  least  insolent 
and  exclusive.  It  had  none  of  the  invidious  char- 
acters of  a  caste.  It  was  constantly  receiving  mem^ 
bers  from  the  people  and  constantly  sending  down 
members  to  mingle  with  the  people.  Any  gentle- 
man might  become  a  peer.  A  younger  son  of  a 
peer  was  but  a  gentleman.  Grandsons  of  peers 
yielded  precedence  to  newly  made  knights.  The 
dignity  of  knighthood  was  not  beyond  the  reach  of 
any  man  who  could  by  diligence  and  thrift  realize  a 
good  estate,  or  who  could  attract  notice  by  his  valor 
in  a  battle  or  siege.  It  was  regarded  as  no  dispar- 
agement for  the  daughter  of  a  duke,  nay,  of  a  royal 
duke,  to  espouse  a  distinguished  commoner. 

His  was  the  pomp,  the  crowded  hall, 

But  where  is  now  his  proud  display? 
His  riches,  honors,  pleasures — all 

Desire  could  frame ;  but  where  are  they  ? 
And  he,  as  some  tall  rock  that  stands, 

Protected  by  the  circling  sea, 
Surrounded  by  admiring  bands, 

Seemed  proudly  strong— and  where  is  hef 


50 


THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 


1.  Agility. 

2.  Annular. 

3.  Antecedent. 

4.  Artillery. 

5.  Ascend. 

6.  Barbarism. 

7.  Barricade. 

8.  Bigotry. 

9.  Bounteous. 

10.  College. 

11.  Communicate. 

12.  Coherence. 


13.  Coliseum. 

14.  Collide. 

15.  Dalliance. 

16.  Debarred. 

17.  Deceive. 

18.  Exhibit. 

19.  Exonerate. 

20.  Fascinate. 

21.  Grammar. 

22.  Irritate. 

23.  Menace. 

24.  Parallel. 


Examination  in  English  Grammar. 
(Time  allotted  :  two  and  one  half  hours.) 

Division  I. 
(N.  B. — Write  the  answers  below,  numbering 
them  to  correspond  with  the  questions.) 

1.  What  is  declension  ?    Decline  child,  who,  he. 

2.  Write  the  plural  of  dwarf,  fly,  pen,  ox,  foot- 
man, calf,  handful,  cargo,  chimney,  potato. 

3.  What  is  a  sentence?      Name  the  different 
kinds  of  sentences.     What  is  a  phrase  ?    What  is  a 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  51 

clause  ?     Give  examples  of  the  sentence,  the  phrase, 
and  the  clause. 

4.  What  is  a  conjunction  ?  How  do  you  parse  a 
conjunction  ? 

5.  What  is  an  adjective?  Of  what  inflection  or 
change  of  form  do  adjectives  admit  ? 

Division  II 

(N.  B. — Write  quite  across  both  pages,  if  neces- 
sary. In  parsing,  give  no  rules,  declensions,  or 
principal  parts;  but  in  other  respects  parse  fully, 
being  careful  to  give  the  subject  of  each  verb,  the 
governing  word  of  each  objective  case,  and  to  state 
precisely  what  each  conjunction  connects,  between 
what  words  each  preposition  shows  the  relation,  and 
to  what  each  pronoun  refers.  Important  omissions 
will  be  taken  to  indicate  ignorance.  Intelligible 
abbreviations  are  allowed.) 

Parse  the  words  in  italics  in  the  following  sen- 
tence :  In  free  States  no  man  should  take  up  arms 
but  with  a  view  to  defend  his  country  and  its  laws ; 
he  puts  off  the  citizen  when  he  enters  the  camp ;  but 
it  is  because  he  is  a  citizen  and  would  continue  such 
that  he  makes  himself  for  a  while  a  soldier. 


52  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Division  III. 

Correct  all  errors  in  the  following  sentences,  in- 
cluding bad  arrangement  of  words  : 

1.  His  work  is  one  of  the  best  that  has  been 
published. 

2.  No  Roman  emperor  was  so  cruel  nor  so  tyran- 
nical as  Nero. 

3.  Have  you  no  other  excuse  but  this  ? 

4.  We  not  only  obtained  Louisiana,  but  Florida 
also,  by  purchase. 

5.  Flour  will  not  do  to  make  our  bread  alone. 

6.  The  number  of  inhabitants  were   not   more 
than  four  millions. 

7.  They  told  me  of  him  having  failed. 

8.  But  she  fell  a  laughing  like  one  out  of  their 
right  mind. 

9.  What  else  could  he  do  in  the  circumstances 
he  was  placed  ? 

10.  Whom  do  you  suppose  it  was  ? 

11.  The   board  of  directors  looked  gravely;  in 
fact,  a  frown  began  to  settle  on  its  face. 

12.  Why  have  you   not  kept  the  promise  you 
have  made  when  I  was  at  your  house  ? 

13.  Suppose  Xerxes  had  have  succeeded  in  con- 
quering Greece ! 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  53 

14.  If  I  were  in  his  place,  I  would  not  have 
gone. 

15.  These  flowers  smell  sweetly  and  look  beauti- 
fully. 

16.  There  is  no  charity  in  giving  of  money  to 
the  intemperate. 

17.  I  have  and  ever  shall  insist  on  the  necessity 
of  economy. 

18.  The  dahlia,  as  well  as  the  fuschia,  is  a  native 
of  America. 

19.  The  spirit  and  not  the  letter  of  the  law,  are 
what  we  are  to  follow. 

20.  London  is  the  largest  of  any  city  in  Europe. 

21.  Am  I  the  scholar  who  am  to  be  punished? 

22.  The  man  could  neither  read  or  write. 

23.  Every  one  of  your  arguments  are  absurd. 

Examination  in  History. 

(Time  allotted :  three  hours.) 

1.  Name  the  first  discoverer  of  America  from 
each  of  the  following  countries,  and  give  the  date  of 
each  discovery : 

(1)  England. 

(2)  Spain. 

(3)  France. 

2.  Write  after  each  of  the  following-named  colo- 


54  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

nies  the  date  and  locality  of  the  first  settlement,  and 
state  to  what  nation  the  settlers  belonged : 

(1)  Georgia. 

(2)  Maryland. 

(3)  Pennsylvania. 

(4)  Virginia. 

3.  When,  and  as  the  result  of  what  war,  were  the 
French  possessions  in  Canada  transferred  to  Eng- 
land? 

4.  What  were  the  boundaries  of  the  territories  of 
the  United  States  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution- 
ary War? 

(1)  North. 

(2)  South. 

(3)  East. 

(4)  West. 

5.  When  and  where  did  each  of  the  following 
events  occur  ? 

(1)  The  first  colonial  Congress. 

(2)  Burgoyne's  surrender. 

(3)  Arnold's  treason. 

6.  Name  two  defects  in  the  Articles  of  Confed- 
eration which  made  it  necessary  to  form  a  new  Con- 
stitution for  the  United  States. 

7.  When  and  where  was  the  first  Government 
organized  under  the  present  Constitution  ? 


FROM  THE  MILITARY  ACADEMY.  55 

8.  Under  whose  administration  did  each  of  the 
following  events  occur? 

(1)  The  Louisiana  purchase. 

(2)  The  Nullification  act. 

(3)  The  Missouri  Compromise. 

(4)  The  Gadsden  purchase. 

9.  When  and  from  whom  was  the  territory  ac- 
quired which  is  comprised  in  each  of  the  following- 
named  States? 

(1)  Texas. 

(2)  California. 

(3)  Florida. 

(4)  Arizona. 

10.  Name  three  States  of  the  Union  which  have 
been  admitted  since  the  adoption  of  the  Federal 
Constitution,  and  which  belonged,  wholly  or  in  part, 
to  other  States  of  the  Union. 

11.  Name  the  States  in  the  Union  in  which 
slavery  existed  in  1861. 

12.  Which  of  the  slave  States  passed  the  ordi- 
nance of  secession,  and  which  remained  loyal  to  the 
Government  at  Washington  ? 

13.  Give  the  names,  dates,  and  immediate  results 
of  six  important  battles  of  the  civil  war. 

14.  What  text-books  in  United  States  history 
have  you  studied? 


56  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Examination  in  Geogeaphy. 

1.  What  proportion  of  the  earth's  surface  is 
land? 

2.  Which  hemisphere  contains  the  more  land, 
northern  or  southern  ? 

3.  If  one  should  start  from  a  point  on  the  equa- 
tor in  the  mid-Atlantic  and  travel  eastward  entire- 
ly around  the  earth,  keeping  on  the  equator,  name 
the  bodies  of  land  and  water  over  which  he  would 
pass. 

4.  Name  the  five  largest  oceans  of  the  earth. 

5.  Name  all  the  States  and  Territories  of  the 
United  States  which  touch  the  Atlantic,  the  Pacific, 
or  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

6.  Name  the  States  east  of  the  Mississippi  which 
touch  neither  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  Atlantic,  nor 
the  Great  Lakes. 

7.  Bound  the  following  States  and  Territories  : 
Idaho,  Arizona,  Indian  Territory,  Minnesota,  Ken- 
tucky, North  Carolina,  and  Vermont. 

8.  What  States  and  Territories  lie,  in  part  or 
wholly,  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  system  ? 

9.  Locate  definitely  the  following  places,  stating 
upon  what  waters  they  are  situated  :  Montgomery, 
Macon,  Shreveport,  Little  Kock,  Austin,  Albuquer- 


FROM  THE   MILITARY  ACADEMY.  57 

que,   Sacramento,    Cheyenne,   Detroit,   Harrisburg, 
Bangor,  Milwaukee. 

10.  If  a  man  should  start  from  Santa  Fe  and  go 
due  north  to  the  British  line,  through  what  States 
and  Territories  would  he  pass? 

11.  The  parallel  of  St.  Louis,  between  the  At- 
lantic and  the  Pacific,  passes  through  what  States 
and  Territories? 

12.  What  political  divisions  of  South  America, 
between  its  most  easterly  and  southerly  points,  bor- 
der on  the  Atlantic  Ocean? 

13.  In  going  from  St.  Petersburg  to  Bombay  by 
steamer,  nearest  route,  over  what  waters  and  by  what 
countries  would  you  pass? 

14.  What  countries  of  Europe  touch  Austria  ? 

15.  Where  is  Beloochistan  ? 

16.  Where  is  Nankin?  upon  what  water  is  it 
situated  ? 

17.  What  is  the  general  direction  of  the  Hoang- 
Ho  or  Yellow  River  ?  where  does  it  empty  ? 

18.  Where  is  Cambodia  ?  to  what  country  does  it 
belong  ? 

19.  Where  is  the  Gulf  of  Salonica? 

20.  Where  is  the  Strait  of  Otranto? 


CHAPTER  II. 

COMMISSIONS    FROM   THE    RANKS   OF   THE    REGULAR 
ARMY. 

As  stated  at  the  beginning  of  Chapter  I,  existing 
laws  and  regulations  state  that  vacancies  in  the 
grade  of  second  lieutenant  are  filled  by  appointment 
from  the  graduates  of  the  Military  Academy,  so 
long  as  any  such  remain  in  service  unassigned. 
Vacancies  thereafter  are  filled  by  appointment  of 
competitors  from  the  army  favorably  recommended 
under  act  of  Congress  approved  June  30,  1892. 
This  act  of  Congress,  and  the  rules  prescribed  by 
the  War  Department  for  the  examination  of  com- 
petitors, are  given  in  detail  in  the  following  order : 

Headquarters  of  the  Army, 
Adjutant-General's  Office, 
Washington,  November  26,  1892. 
General  Orders,  No.  79. 

By  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War  the  follow- 
ing law,   and   the  regulations  established    by  the 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  59 

President  to  carry  the  same  into  effect,  are  pub- 
lished for  the  information  and  guidance  of  all  con- 
cerned : 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Con- 
gress assembled,  That  the  President  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  authorized  to  prescribe  a  system  of  examina- 
tion of  enlisted  men  of  the  army,  by  such  boards  as 
may  be  established  by  him,  to  determine  their  fit- 
ness for  promotion  to  the  grade  of  second  lieuten- 
ant: Provided,  That  all  unmarried  soldiers  under 
thirty  years  of  age,  who  are  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  are  physically  sound,  who  have  served  honor- 
ably not  less  than  two  years  in  the  army,  and  who 
have  borne  a  good  moral  character  before  and  after 
enlistment,  may  compete  for  promotion  under  any 
system  authorized  by  this  act. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  members  and  recorder  of  such 
boards  as  may  be  established  by  the  President,  under 
the  provisions  of  the  preceding  section,  shall  be 
sworn  in  every  case  to  discharge  their  duties  hon- 
estly and  faithfully ;  and  the  boards  may  examine 
witnesses,  and  take  depositions,  for  which  purposes 
they  shall  have  such  powers  of  a  court  of  inquiry  as 
may  be  necessary. 

Sec.  3.  That  the  vacancies  in  the  grade  of  sec- 


60  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

ond  lieutenant  heretofore  filled  by  the  promotion  of 
meritorious  noncommissioned  officers  of  the  army, 
under  the  provisions  of  section  three  of  the  act  ap- 
proved June  eighteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-eight, shall  be  filled  by  the  appointment  of 
competitors  favorably  recommended  under  this  act, 
in  the  order  of  merit  established  by  the  final  exami- 
nation. Each  man  who  passes  the  final  examina- 
tion shall  receive  a  certificate  of  eligibility,  setting 
forth  the  subjects  in  which  he  is  proficient  and  the 
especial  grounds  upon  which  the  recommendation  is 
based :  Provided,  That  not  more  than  two  examina- 
tions shall  be  accorded  to  the  same  competitor. 

Sec.  4.  That  all  rights  and  privileges  arising 
from  a  certificate  of  eligibility  may  be  vacated  by 
sentence  of  a  court-martial ;  but  no  soldier,  while 
holding  the  privileges  of  a  certificate,  shall  be 
brought  before  a  garrison  or  regimental  court-mar- 
tial or  summary  court. 

Sec.  5.  That  sections  three  and  four  of  the  act 
approved  June  eighteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy-eight,  providing  for  the  promotion  of  meri- 
torious noncommissioned  officers,  be,  and  the  same 
are  hereby,  repealed. 

Approved  July  30,  1892. 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  61 

I.  For  the  purpose  of  computing  age  and  length 
of  service,  the  first  day  of  September  of  each  year, 
commencing  with  1893,  is  fixed  as  the  date  of  com- 
petition. 

Any  soldier,  otherwise  qualified,  whose  age  will 
not  exceed  thirty  years  on  the  first  of  September 
following,  and  who  shall  have  served  honorably  not 
less  than  two  years  in  the  army,  on  or  before  that 
date,  may  (on  or  before  the  first  day  of  February  of 
any  year  after  1892)  make  application,  through  the 
regular  military  channels,  to  his  department  com- 
mander, for  preliminary  examination,  with  a  view 
to  determine  his  eligibility  for  entering  the  com- 
petitive examinations. 

Preliminary  Examination. 

II.  As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  fifteenth  of 
March  the  department  commander  will  convene  a 
board  of  five  commissioned  officers,  including  two 
medical  officers,  for  the  preliminary  examination  of 
applicants,  and  will  order  the  applicants  in  his  com- 
mand to  appear  before  it.  This  board  will  institute 
a  rigid  inquiry  into  the  character,  capacity,  record, 
and  qualifications  of  the  several  candidates,  and  will 
recommend  none  for  competitive  examination  who 
are  not  able  to  establish  their  fitness  for  promotion 


62  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  board.  To  that  end 
the  procedure  of  the  department  boards  will  be 
based  upon  that  of  retiring  boards.  Evidence  will 
be  obtained  from  the  certificates  of  officers,  from 
witnesses,  under  oath,  and  by  means  of  sworn  inter- 
rogatories. The  military  record  of  each  candidate 
will  be  closely  examined,  and  his  antecedents  before 
entering  the  service  will  be  made  the  subject  of  spe- 
cial inquiry. 

Every  applicant  will  be  subjected  to  a  rigid 
physical  examination,  and  if  there  be  found  to  exist 
any  cause  of  disqualification  to  such  a  degree  as 
might  in  the  future  impair  his  efficiency  as  an  offi- 
cer in  the  army,  he  will  be  rejected.  Examination 
as  to  physical  qualifications  shall  conform  to  the 
standard  required  of  recruits,  and  a  certificate  of 
physical  examination  by  the  medical  officers  of 
the  board  shall  accompany  the  proceedings  of  the 
board. 

The  preliminary  examination  will  embrace  the 
following  subjects : 

1.  English  grammar,  including  orthography, 
reading,  and  writing  from  oral  dictation. 

2.  Mathematics,  including  arithmetic,  algebra,  to 
include  the  solution  of  equations  of  the  first  degree 
containing  one  unknown  quantity,  the  use  of  loga- 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  63 

rithms,  the  elements  of  plane  geometry,  plane  trigo- 
nometry, and  surveying. 

3.  Geography,  particularly  in  reference  to  the 
United  States  and  North  America. 

4.  The  outlines  of  general  history,  and  particu- 
larly the  history  of  the  United  States. 

5.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  and 
the  organization  of  the  Government  under  it,  and 
the  elements  of  international  law. 

6.  Army  regulations,  and  the  drill  regulations  of 
the  arm  from  which  he  is  selected.  The  examina- 
tion in  drill  regulations  will  be  practical,  extending 
through  the  schools  of  the  soldier,  squad,  and  pla- 
toon, and  shall  take  place  on  the  parade-ground  in 
the  presence  of  the  board. 

7.  The  military  record  of  the  candidates  as  cer- 
tified to  by  their  company,  post,  and  regimental 
commanders. 

8.  Physical  aptitude,  as  determined  by  the  medi- 
cal examination;  proficiency  in  athletics,  skill  in 
field  sports,  etc. 

9.  Moral  character  and  civil  record  as  verified  by 
the  investigations  of  the  board. 

In  awarding  marks,  the  board  will  give  to  each 
subject  in  the  examination  the  relative  weight  given 
in  the  following  example.     The  weight  to  be  given 


64  THEEE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

to  each  question  will  be  determined  by  its  impor- 
tance, and  will  be  set  opposite  the  question  in  the 
papers  furnished  the  candidates : 

Example. 

1.  English  grammar,  orthography,  etc 100 

2.  Mathematics 200 

3.  Geography 100 

4.  History 100 

5.  Constitution  and  international  law 100 

6.  Army  and  drill  regulations  and  military  capacity 

and  aptitude  as  determined  therefrom 200 

7.  Military  record 100 

8.  Physique 100 

9.  Moral  character  and  antecedents 200 

1,200 

The  duty  of  making  the  preliminary  examina- 
tion of  applicants  i3  one  involving,  in  a  high  degree, 
the  welfare  and  character  of  the  service,  and  all  offi- 
cers of  departmental  boards  are  enjoined  to  exercise 
the  utmost  circumspection  and  care,  not  only  that 
no  unworthy  applicant  be  recommended,  but  also 
that  the  most  worthy  shall  be  recommended.  All 
statements  and  certificates  as  to  moral  character, 
general  aptitude  and  fitness,  should  be  carefully 
verified  by  disinterested  evidence. 

Separate  records  will  be  submitted  in  each  case 
to  the  department  commander,  who  will  forward 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  65 

them,  with  all  papers  presented  in  relation  to  the 
applicant,  to  the  adjutant-general  of  the  army. 

Competitive  Examination. 

III.  A  board  to  consist  of  five  commissioned 
officers  (including  two  medical  officers,  whose  duties 
will  be  confined  to  inquiring  into  and  reporting 
upon  the  physical  qualifications  of  the  applicants) 
will  be  convened  by  the  War  Department,  to  meet  at 
Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  on  the  1st  of  September 
of  each  year,  commencing  with  1893,  to  conduct 
the  final  competitive  examination  of  the  appli- 
cants who  have  successfully  passed  the  depart- 
mental boards,  in  conformity  with  the  following 
regulations : 

IV.  Every  applicant  will  be  subjected  to  a  rigid 
physical  examination,  and  if  there  be  found  to  exist 
any  cause  of  disqualification  to  such  a  degree  as 
might  in  the  future  impair  his  efficiency  as  an  offi- 
cer in  the  army,  he  will  be  rejected.  Examination 
as  to  physical  qualifications  shall  conform  to  the 
standard  required  of  recruits,  and  shall  include  a 
certificate  of  physical  examination  by  the  medical 
officers  of  the  board  to  accompany  the  proceedings 
of  the  board. 

The  board,  being  satisfied  as  to  these  preliminary 


66  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

points,  will  proceed  to  examine  each  candidate  sepa- 
rately in  the  following  subjects  : 

1.  English  grammar,  including  orthography, 
reading,  and  writing  from  oral  dictation. 

2.  Mathematics,  including  arithmetic,  algebra,  to 
include  the  solution  of  equations  of  the  first  degree 
containing  one  unknown  quantity,  the  use  of  loga- 
rithms, the  elements  of  plane  geometry,  plane  trigo- 
nometry, and  surveying. 

3.  Geography,  particularly  in  reference  to  the 
United  States  and  North  America. 

4.  The  outlines  of  general  history,  and  particu 
larly  the  history  of  the  United  States. 

5.  The  Constitution  of  the  United  States  and 
the  organization  of  the  Government  under  it,  and 
the  elements  of  international  law. 

6.  Army  regulations  and  the  drill  regulations  of 
the  arm  from  which  the  candidate  is  selected.  The 
examination  in  drill  regulations  will  be  practical, 
extending  through  the  school  of  the  soldier,  squad, 
and  platoon,  and  shall  take  place  on  the  parade- 
ground  in  the  presence  of  the  board. 

7.  The  military  records  of  the  candidates  as  cer- 
tified to  by  their  company,  post,  and  regimental 
commanders. 

8.  Physical  aptitude,  as  determined  by  the  med- 


FROM  THE  ARMY. 


67 


ical  examination;  proficiency  in  athletics,  skill  in 
field  sports,  etc. 

9.  Moral  character  and  civil  record  as  verified 
after  a  thorough  investigation  by  the  board. 

In  awarding  marks  the  board  will  give  to  each 
subject  in  the  examination  the  relative  weight  given 
in  the  form  following  below.  The  general  average 
of  the  candidate  will  be  computed  as  follows :  Mark 
each  question  according  to  its  relative  weight,  and 
reduce  the  aggregate  of  marks  thus  obtained  in  each 
subject  to  a  scale  of  100.  The  result  will  give  the 
average  of  proficiency  in  the  subject.  Multiply  the 
average  in  each  subject  by  the  number  indicating 

Example. 


No. 


Subject. 


II 

OS  60 


tBS> 


English  grammar,  etc 

Mathematics 

Geography , 

History 

Constitutional  and  international  law 

Army  and  drill  regulations,  etc 

Military  record 

Physique 

Moral  character  and  antecedents 


88 
76 

so 
78 

67 

76 

so 

75 
85 


3 
4 
2 
3 
2 
3 
2 
3 
3 

&5~ 


246 
304 
160 
219 
134 
225 
160 
225 
255 

1.928 
77-12 


68  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

the  relative  weight  of  the  subject,  and  divide  the 
sum  of  the  products  by  the  sum  of  the  relative 
weights ;  the  quotient  will  be  the  general  average. 
No  candidate  will  be  passed  by  the  board  who  shall 
not  have  attained  an  average  of  65  per  cent  in  each 
subject  of  examination  and  a  general  average  of  at 
least  70  per  cent. 

V.  When  the  board  shall  have  examined  and 
passed  upon  all  the  applicants,  it  will  prepare  a 
tabulated  statement  showing  the  order  of  their  rela- 
tive merit  as  developed  by  the  examination,  and  for- 
ward the  proceedings,  with  all  papers  pertaining 
thereto,  to  the  adjutant-general. 

Soldiers  who  successfully  pass  the  final  examina- 
tion, and  receive  certificates  as  required  by  law,  will 
be  known  in  the  service  as  "  candidates  for  promo- 
tion," and  will  have  the  title  of  "  candidate  "  pre- 
fixed to  that  of  their  rank  on  all  rolls,  returns, 
orders,  and  correspondence.  They  will  be  entitled 
to  this  privilege  so  long  only  as  they  maintain  the 
specially  honorable  position  of  "  candidate." 

The  right  to  appointment  of  a  " candidate"  who 
does  not  receive  an  appointment  as  second  lieuten- 
ant in  the  meantime  will  expire  on  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember following  his  examination,  unless  he  elects 
to  appear  before  the  board  at  Fort  Leavenworth  a 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  69 

second  time  for  examination  in  competition  with 
those  who  may  be  examined  at  the  time  of  his 
second  appearance.  An  applicant  for  re-examina- 
tion will  not  be  required  to  pass  a  departmental 
board  a  second  time.  In  order  to  secure  a  re-ex- 
amination, he  will  forward  an  application  therefor 
through  his  regular  military  commanders  (whose 
remarks  will  be  indorsed  thereon)  to  the  adjutant- 
general,  at  least  three  months  in  advance  of  the 
time  of  holding  the  annual  competitive  examina- 
tion. After  re-examination  he  will  take  his  place 
in  the  relative  merit  list  with  those  examined  at  the 
time  of  his  re-examination. 

Applicants  who  fail  to  pass  the  competitive 
board  at  their  first  examination  may  secure  a  sec- 
ond examination  in  the  same  manner  as  candidates 
who  pass  and  fail  to  receive  an  appointment. 

No  soldier  will  be  re-examined  who  will  pass  the 
age  limit  prior  to  the  date  set  for  such  re-examina- 
tion. 

;'  Candidates  "  who  may  be  guilty  of  misconduct 
will  be  promptly  reported  to  the  adjutant-general 
of  the  army,  through  regimental  and  department 
headquarters,  the  report  to  give  a  full  statement  of 
the  misconduct  alleged,  with  names  of  witnesses. 
Before    forwarding    such  report  to  the  adjutant- 


70  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

general  of  the  army,  the  department  commander 
will  see  that  the  "  candidate "  has  a  fair  and  im- 
partial hearing,  that  the  merits  of  the  case  may  be 
carefully  and  accurately  determined  and  reported 
on  for  the  decision  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

"  Candidates  "  will  not  be  deprived  of  the  privi- 
leges of  their  position  except  by  sentence  of  court- 
martial  as  required  by  the  law,  or  by  the  decision 
of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

By  command  of  Major- General  Schofield  : 

R.  Williams, 

Adjutant-  General. 

Method  of  making  Application. 

By  reference  to  paragraph  I  of  the  foregoing 
order,  eligibility  for  promotion,  so  far  as  the  right  to 
making  an  application  is  concerned,  is  clearly  out- 
lined. If  eligible,  application  for  promotion  should 
be  made  to  the  department  commander  in  proper 
form  on  or  before  the  1st  of  February,  accom- 
panied by  the  information  required  in  the  following 
form : 

Form  for  Individual  Record  of  Candidate. 

1.  Give  the  exact  date  and  place  of  your  birth. 

2.  Are  you  married,  or  single  ? 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  fl 

3.  Are  you  a  citizen  of  the  United  States?  If 
so,  state  whether  native-born  or  naturalized. 

4.  What  schools  have  you  attended,  and  for  what 
periods  ?  Answer  explicitly,  giving  dates,  and  desig- 
nations of  schools,  as  public  schools,  academies,  dis- 
trict schools,  colleges,  manual-training  schools,  night 
schools,  etc. 

5.  Have  you  ever  been  apprenticed  to  a  trade  ? 
If  so,  to  what  trade,  for  what  length  of  time  ? 

6.  In  what  occupation  or  trade  have  you  been 
employed  ?  Answer  explicitly,  giving  time,  charac- 
ter of  employment,  etc. 

7.  During  what  time  have  you  supported  your- 
self, totally  or  partially,  by  your  own  labor  ? 

8.  Have  you  ever  served  in  the  National  Guard  ? 
Answer  explicitly,  giving  State,  arm  of  service,  rank, 
etc. 

(Signature) 

Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me,  the 

day  of a.  D.  189     . 

Method  of  Selection". 

Any  unmarried  soldier  who  is  eligible  under  the 
law  as  to  nationality,  age,  and  character,  may  enter 
the  competitive  examination  for  promotion  to  the 
grade  of  second  lieutenant  in  the  army.     A  private 


72  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

has  as  much  right  to  compete  as  a  noncommissioned 
officer.  The  applicant  may  belong  to  any  arm  of 
the  service  or  to  any  staff  corps,  for  the  law  states 
very  clearly  that  the  competition  shall  be  open  to 
all  enlisted  men  of  the  army.  There  is,  therefore, 
no  limit  to  the  number  who  may  compete,  provided 
the  above  provisions  of  the  law  are  fulfilled. 

Character  of  Examinations. 

The  character  and  extent  of  the  examinations 
are  so  clearly  stated  in  the  order  just  quoted  that 
little  remains  to  be  said  on  these  subjects.  To  give 
the  applicant  a  more  tangible  idea  of  the  extent  and 
character  of  these  examinations,  a  list  of  the  ques- 
tions propounded  at  a  final  examination  at  Fort 
Leavenworth  is  given  at  the  close  of  this  chapter. 

Examinations  are  usually  conducted  on  each 
subject  in  the  order  named.  The  time  allowed  to 
complete  an  examination  on  any  subject  may  or 
may  not  be  limited,  but  it  usually  takes  about  two 
weeks  to  complete  the  mental  examination. 

Applicants  should  bear  in  mind  that  different 
questions  are  asked  each  year ;  the  ones  given  in  this 
chapter  are  intended  merely  as  a  guide  to  what  may 
be  anticipated  in  future  examinations. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  extent  and  character 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  73 

of  preliminary  examination  are  the  same  as  the  char- 
acter and  extent  of  the  final  examination,  but  appli- 
cants who  fail  to  pass  the  preliminary  board  will 
not  be  ordered  for  final  competitive  examination  at 
Fort  Leavenworth. 

Hints  to  Competitors. 

Any  soldier  ambitious  to  rise  to  the  grade  of 
a  commissioned  officer  will  do  wisely  to  examine 
closely  all  the  requirements  of  the  position  he  seeks, 
and  the  extent  of  the  examinations  he  will  have  to 
pass  to  secure  the  prize.  Being  satisfied  that  he  is 
physically,  mentally,  and  morally  equal  to  the  occa- 
sion, he  should  make  his  application  as  previously 
described.  As  a  rule,  officers  will  do  all  in  their 
power  to  assist  a  worthy  man,  although  they  may 
dislike  to  lose  an  efficient  and  valuable  man.  As  to 
length  of  service,  the  regulations  simply  require 
that  the  candidate  shall  have  served  at  least  two 
years  in  the  army.  The  service  of  a  cadet  honor- 
ably discharged  from  the  United  States  Military 
Academy  counts  as  "service  in  the  army,"  and 
hence  could  be  used  to  fulfill  the  conditions  as  re- 
gards length  of  service. 

Applicants  are  referred  to  the  "  Points,"  in  re- 
gard to  the  entrance  examinations  at  the  Military 


74  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Academy,  which  are  given  in  the  previous  chapter, 
and  most  of  which  apply  in  the  examination  of  com- 
petitors for  promotion.  If  extra  time  is  wanted  in 
preparing  for  an  examination,  make  a  formal  appli- 
cation for  it  to  the  post  commander  through  your 
company  commander,  stating  your  reasons.  A  very 
good  and  proper  rule  which  a  company  commander 
may  follow  is,  never  to  recommend  a  man  for  pro- 
motion unless  he  feels  that  he  would  be  glad  to  have 
the  man  as  a  second  lieutenant  of  his  own  company. 

Candidates  for  promotion  should  always  behave 
in  a  soldierly  manner,  being  prompt  and  cheerful  in 
the  obedience  of  all  orders,  remembering  that  one 
must  first  learn  to  obey  before  he  can  successfully 
command.  The  bearing  and  conduct  of  a  candidate 
during  examination  are  always  taken  into  considera- 
tion by  the  board  in  determining  his  character  and 
aptitude  for  the  position  he  seeks.  In  the  past  ten 
years  about  one  hundred  noncommissioned  officers 
have  been  promoted  to  the  grade  of  second  lieuten- 
ant in  the  army.  There  is  no  limit  to  the  number 
that  may  be  promoted  from  any  one  regiment,  or 
even  from  any  one  company,  but  it  has  seldom  hap- 
pened that  more  than  two  have  qualified  from  the 
same  regiment  in  a  single  year. 

As  any  soldier  may  now  compete  for  promotion, 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  f5 

it  is  probable  that  there  will  be  an  increase  in  the 
number  promoted  from  the  army,  for  more  young 
men  may  now  be  induced  to  enlist  for  that  purpose. 
The  increase,  however,  will  necessarily  be  slight,  for 
it  seldom  happens  that  there  are  more  than  a  dozen 
vacancies  in  the  army  after  the  assignment  of  the 
class  graduating  from  the  Military  Academy. 

Assignment  to  Regiment. 

The  army  regulations  state  that,  as  a  rule,  sol- 
diers promoted  to  the  grade  of  second  lieutenant 
will  be  assigned  to  vacancies  existing  in  the  regi- 
ments from  which  they  are  promoted ;  but  this  is 
really  more  the  exception  than  the  rule,  as  the  re- 
quired vacancies  do  not  always  exist.  But  this  is  a 
matter  of  little  importance,  as  there  is  now  no  par- 
ticular advantage  to  be  gained  by  being  assigned  to 
any  particular  regiment. 

If  vacancies  exist  in  the  arm}%  candidates  usually 
remain  at  Fort  Leavenworth  after  completing  the 
final  examination  until  receipt  of  their  appoint- 
ments as  second  lieutenants. 

The  expenses  of  candidates  from  the  army,  going 
to  and  returning  from  examinations,  are  of  course 
defrayed  by  the  Government,  and  they  receive  pay, 
rations,  etc.,  during  examination,  as  they  are  con- 


76  THREE  ROADS  TO   A  COMMISSION. 

sidered  quite  as  much  on  duty  as  if  they  were  at 
their  proper  station.  Successful  candidates  receive 
pay  as  officers  from  the  day  the  new  office  is  ac- 
cepted. With  the  appointment  comes  the  letter  of 
assignment  and  the  order  directing  each  officer  to 
join  his  new  station  on  or  before  such  a  date,  a 
delay  of  about  thirty  days  being  allowed  to  enable 
him  to  procure  his  uniform  and  equipments.  Be- 
ing under  orders,  his  necessary  traveling  expenses 
will  be  paid  by  the  Government.  Many  of  the  re- 
marks under  this  head,  near  the  close  of  Chapters  I 
and  III,  are  applicable  in  the  case  of  officers  pro- 
moted from  the  army,  and  their  attention  is  invited 
to  them. 

Enlisting  for  a  Commission. 

The  attention  of  those  young  men  in  civil  life 
who  may  contemplate  enlisting  in  the  regular  army 
with  a  view  to  obtaining  a  commission  is  invited 
to  all  that  has  been  said  in  the  present  chapter 
concerning  the  promotion  of  meritorious  soldiers. 
From  this  will  be  obtained  all  necessary  information 
regarding  the  qualifications  of  such  candidates,  and 
this  is  the  only  path  that  will  lead  from  the  ranks 
to  a  commission. 

The  young  man   who  is  debating  whether   to 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  77 

make  the  effort  or  not  may  wish  to  know,  to  begin 
with,  what  steps  he  must  take  in  order  to  enter  the 
army,  and  about  what  his  duties  may  be  as  a  sol- 
dier. 

This  information  can  easily  be  obtained  by  sim- 
ply calling  at  any  army  recruiting  office.  These 
offices  are  located  in  all  the  principal  cities  of  the 
United  States,  a  list  of  which,  with  their  location,  is 
given  in  the  Appendix.  The  same  information 
may  be  had  by  calling  at  the  adjutant's  office  at  any 
military  post  in  the  United  States  which  is  garri- 
soned by  troops  belonging  to  the  regular  army.  In 
short,  any  unmarried  man  between  sixteen  and 
thirty  years  of  age,  who  is  physically  sound,  of 
good  moral  character,  and  able  to  read  and  write 
the  English  language,  can  enlist  in  the  regular 
army  by  applying  to  any  of  the  recruiting  offices 
referred  to,  or  to  the  recruiting  officer  at  any  mili- 
tary post. 

He  must  be  at  least  five  feet  four  inches  in 
height,  and  weigh  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  pounds,  and,  if  a  minor,  must  have  the  con- 
sent of  his  parents  or  guardians.  As  the  law  requires 
a  man  to  serve  at  least  two  years  in  the  army  before 
he  is  eligible  for  final  examination  for  promotion, 
and  as  no  man  over  thirty  years  of  age  will  be  com- 


78  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

missioned,  a  young  man  enlisting  with  a  view  to  ob- 
taining a  commission  should  not  be  over  twenty- 
seven  years  old.  Although  these  seem  to  be  very 
simple  conditions  for  the  ordinary  man  to  fulfill,  it 
may  be  interesting  to  know  that  at  present  only 
about  one  man  in  five  who  presents  himself  for  en- 
listment succeeds  in  passing  the  examination.  Some 
are  rejected  on  general  appearance,  others  for  not 
being  able  to  show  evidence  of  good  character,  and 
the  rest  for  failure  to  pass  physically. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  some,  the  regular  army 
is  not  composed  of  a  set  of  loafers  and  tramps,  or 
rascals  who  wish  to  escape  the  penalties  of  the  civil 
law.  True,  a  few  of  these  vagabonds  find  their  way 
into  the  army;  but  if  you  select  twenty-five  thou- 
sand lawyers,  doctors,  or  twenty-five  thousand  men 
of  any  one  profession  in  the  United  States,  among 
that  number  a  sprinkling  of  black  sheep  will  be 
found.  The  majority  of  the  enlisted  men  of  the 
army  are  obedient,  industrious,  and  honest,  and  are 
deserving  of  more  credit  for  their  intelligence  and 
soldierly  conduct  than  is  ever  given  to  them  by  the 
average  American  citizen.  That  menial  or  degrad- 
ing services  are  required  of  soldiers  is  sheer  non- 
sense. 

It  is  true  that  they  make  their  own  beds  and 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  79 

fires,  cook  their  own  food,  and  dust  their  own 
clothes,  and  are  required  to  keep  their  quarters 
neat  and  clean ;  but  this  much  is  required  of  cadets 
at  the  Military  Academy,  and  it  is  not  considered 
to  be  beneath  their  station  or  calling.  An  officer  or 
soldier  who  can  not  care  for  himself  in  time  of 
peace,  is  liable  to  starve  or  die  from  ignorant  expos- 
ure in  time  of  war. 

This  short  dissertation  is  given  simply  to  insure 
the  young  man  desirous  of  enlisting  for  a  commis- 
sion that  he  will  not  be  casting  his  lot  among  the 
toughest  element  in  the  land,  which  is  quite  a  pop- 
ular belief  regarding  the  army.  He  will  find  men 
in  nearly  every  company  of  the  army  who  are  his 
equal .  in  many  respects,  and  his  superior  in  others. 
It  is  not  intended  by  the  foregoing  to  induce  young 
men  of  good  breeding  and  superior  intellectual  at- 
tainments to  enter  the  army  with  a  view  to  obtain- 
ing a  commission  ;  for  the  enlisting  of  such  a  man  is 
a  serious  question,  as  he  may  be  unable  to  succeed 
in  his  efforts,  and  be  sorry  for  the  step  he  has  taken. 

The  young  man  who  is  sufficiently  well  educated 
to  pass  his  examinations  for  a  commission  may  be 
totally  unfit  and  unable  to  undergo  the  discipline 
and  duty  required  of  the  average  soldier  in  the 
ranks.     Life  might  be  so  unbearable  that  he  would 


80  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

not  serve  another  month  if  he  could  get  out  of  it. 
But  that  young  man  is  equally  unfit  to  become  a 
commissioned  officer ;  for  a  man  unable  to  perform 
the  duties  of  the  ordinary  soldier  for  two  or  three 
years,  would  be  useless  as  an  officer.  Hence,  he  has 
missed  his  calling,  and  never  should  have  enlisted. 
The  young  man  who  enlists  for  a  commission  must 
not  only  be  physically,  morally,  and  intellectually 
capable  of  passing  the  required  examinations,  but 
he  needs,  above  all,  good  common  sense  combined 
with  what  is  known  as  backbone  or  grit,  and  suffi- 
cient tact  to  accommodate  himself  to  circumstances. 
In  general,  he  will  be  comfortably  housed,  well  fed 
and  well  clothed,  and  will  receive  sufficient  pay  to 
defray  all  necessary  expenses.  Socially,  he  may  not 
have  the  advantages  to  which  he  has  been  accus- 
tomed, but  amusements  of  various  kinds  are  got 
up  and  enjoyed  by  every  garrison.  Schools  for  his 
education,  libraries,  and  reading-rooms  containing 
valuable  books  and  leading  periodicals  of  the  day, 
are  maintained  at  every  post  in  the  army.  Many  of 
the  companies  and  some  of  the  posts  have  gymna- 
siums, and  pool  and  billiard  rooms,  which  afford 
amusement  and  exercise.  All  of  these,  except  the 
pool  and  billiard  rooms,  are  kept  up  by  the  Govern- 
ment, and  billiards  and  pool  never  cost  more  than 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  gl 

five  cents  a  game.  For  purposes  of  discipline  there 
is  more  or  less  of  a  gulf  between  the  men  and  their 
officers,  which  is  particularly  true  of  their  social 
life.  Eight  here  is  where  his  grit  and  tact  come  in 
play ;  for,  no  matter  what  his  previous  station  in  life 
may  have  been,  it  would  not  become  him  to  pre- 
sume to  throw  himself  forward  or  above  his  com- 
rades, no  matter  how  much  he  or  his  friends  might 
desire  it.  He  must  come  into  the  service  prepared 
to  take  what  falls  to  his  lot,  doing  his  duty  without 
complaint,  for  it  is  only  "  old  soldiers  "  who  claim 
the  right  to  "  growl."  Remember,  you  are  a  soldier, 
and  must  do  a  soldier's  duty  to  entitle  you  to  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  your  comrades.  Show 
due  respect  at  all  times  to  your  superiors,  be  manly 
and  impartial  to  your  inferiors,  prompt  and  cheer- 
ful in  the  obedience  of  all  lawful  orders. 

Selection  of  Arm  of  Service. 

Shall  I  enlist  in  the  infantry,  cavalry,  or  artillery? 
will  be  the  question  that  a  young  man  from  civil 
life  desiring  promotion  will  ask.  In  time  of  peace 
artillery  enjoys  good  stations,  but  the  men  have  to 
learn  infantry  as  well  as  artillery  drill.  Cavalry 
have  the  worst  stations,  and  the  men  have  horses 
to   care   for,  besides   arms  and  equipments  galore. 


82  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

The  infantry  have  good  stations,  and  the  men  have 
less  to  do,  and  less  to  learn  in  time  of  peace,  than 
either  of  the  other  arms.  In  time  of  war,  as  Gen- 
eral Sherman  has  said,  "  infantry  is  the  backbone  of 
the  army."  But  it  is  believed  that  any  officer,  after 
a  moment's  thought,  would  advise  his  friend  desir- 
ing to  obtain  a  commission  in  the  easiest  manner 
and  in  the  shortest  period  of  time,  to  join  the  in- 
fantry first,  the  artillery  next,  the  cavalry  last. 

Pay  and  Discharges. 

According  to  recent  laws,  a  man  in  the  first  en- 
listment may  now  be  discharged  from  the  army  after 
three  years'  honorable  service  by  simply  requesting 
it.  Or,  after  one  year's  service,  he  can  purchase  his 
discharge  by  paying  to  the  United  States  five  dollars 
for  every  month  he  has  yet  to  serve  to  complete 
three  years'  service.  For  example,  should  a  man 
desire  to  leave  the  service  at  the  end  of  one  year,  by 
paving  to  the  Government  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars  he  will  receive  his  discharge. 

So  it  is  now  an  easy  matter  to  get  out  of  the 
army  if  one  finds  he  does  not  like  it.  The  pay  of  a 
man  for  the  first  two  years  of  his  service  is  thirteen 
dollars  per  month,  besides  good  quarters,  clothes, 
and  food,  and  plenty  of  them.     Each  year  after  the 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  83 

second  the  pay  increases  one  dollar  per  month,  and, 
of  course,  noncommissioned  officers  receive  an  in- 
crease of  a  few  dollars  per  month  over  the  private. 
The  average  pay  of  staff:  sergeants  is  about  forty 
dollars  per  month. 

Final  Examination  Questions, 
Fort  Leavenworth. 

Grammar. 

1.  Give  the  parts  of  speech,  with  the  modifica- 
tions to  which  each  is  subject. 

2.  Define  each  modification. 

3.  When   is   each   case   used,  and   how  is  each 
formed,  in  both  simple  and  compound  words? 

4.  What  are  the  relative  pronouns,  and  when  is 
each  used  ? 

5.  Into  what  general  classes  are  adjectives  di- 
vided?    Give  an  example  of  each. 

6.  How  are  verbs  divided  with  respect  to  mean- 
ing ?    Define  each,  and  give  examples. 

7.  Define  the  different  voices  of  verbs,  and  give 
examples  of  a  verb  in  each  voice. 

8.  Define  the  different  moods  of  verbs,  and  give 
examples  of  a  verb  in  each. 

9.  How  are  participles  used  ?    Give  examples. 


84  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

10.  How  are  adverbs  classified  with  reference  to 
meaning  ?     Give  examples  of  each. 

11.  What  is  the  office  of  the  preposition  ? 

12.  How  are  conjunctions  classified  ?     Give  ex- 
amples. 

13.  Correct  the  following  sentences  (giving  rea- 
sons) : 

(1)  This  is  a  man  whom  I  think  deserves  en- 
couragement. 

(2)  The  Senate  of  the  United  States  are  a  more 
dignified  body  than  the  House  of  Representatives. 

(3)  The  court  is  unable  to  agree. 

(4)  This  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  books  that 
has  appeared  in  any  language. 

(5)  The  condition  of  the  crops  show  that  the 
country  has  suffered  much. 

(6)  To  read  and  write  were  once  an  honorary 
distinction. 

(7)  The  public  is  often  deceived  by  false  appear- 
ances. 

(8)  Charles  formed  expensive   habits   and    by 
those  means  became  poor. 

(9)  It  is  difficult  in  some  cases  to  distinguish 
between  an  interrogatory  and  exclamatory  sentence. 

(10)  There  is  no  doubt  of  the  bill  passing  the 
house. 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  85 

(11)  The  dress  was  made  by  Worth,  the  milliner, 
he  that  we  saw  in  Paris. 

(12)  My  father  allowed  my  brother  and  I  to  ac- 
company him. 

(13)  I  would  act  the  same  part  if  I  were  him. 
(li)  They  seemed  to  be  nearly  dressed  alike. 

(15)  At  home  I  studied  geometry,  that  I  found 
useful  afterwards. 

(16)  Who  did  you  vote  for? 

(17)  The  money  is  to  be  divided  between  the 
three  brothers. 

(18)  As  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge  the  book  is  well 
written. 

(19)  Either  you  or  I  are  in  the  way. 

(20)  An  account  of  the  great  events  in  all  parts 
of  the  world  are  given  in  the  daily  papers. 

14.  Analyze  and  parse  the  following  sentence: 
"  To  enable  them  to  prepare  for  examination,  candi- 
dates will,  when  practicable,  be  designated  to  appear 
six  months  in  advance." 

Spelling. 

Cellule.  Synchronous. 

Mignonette.  Hemorrhage. 

Recommend.  Syzygy. 

Awry.  Femoral. 


86 


THREE 

ROADS 

TO 

i  A  COMMISSION. 

Presbytery. 

Sibylline. 

Salable. 

Pellucid. 

Myrrh. 

Pyrites. 

Diphthong. 

Hydropathy. 

Chemise. 

Palladium. 

Vedette. 

Coliseum. 

Purloin. 

Panegyric. 

Petard. 

Empyrean. 

Dictat 

ion. 

While  the  doughty  king  was  engaged  in  war  the 
roguish  dauphin  spent  his  time  in  the  pleasure  of 
his  own  coterie.  His  raillery  and  innuendoes  occa- 
sionally stirred  his  companions  from  their  syco- 
phancy into  something  like  a  display  of  manly  in- 
dependence; but  this,  reacting  on  the  changeable 
nature  of  their  liege  lord,  ruffled  his  complaisance, 
and  they  relapsed  into  their  former  state. 

Define  the  words  in  italics  in  the  foregoing. 

Arithmetic. 

1.  What  is  the  least  number  of  cents  that  will 
pay  for  a  number  of  peaches  at  3/4  of  a  cent  each,  a 
number  of  apples  at  %  of  a  cent  each,  and  a  number 
of  pears  at  %  of  a  cent  each  ? 

2.  Find  the  difference  between  seven  thousand 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  87 

and  seven  thousandths,  and  divide  the  remainder  by 
seven  millionths. 

3.  If  by  selling  a  horse  at  $80  I  lose  12y2  per 
cent  of  the  first  cost,  shall  I  gain  or  lose,  and  what 
per  cent  by  selling  him  at  $90  ? 

4.  What  per  cent  of  455  is  10-25  ? 

5.  Add  seventy-five  hundredths,  eight  and  sixty- 
seven  thousandths,  seven  and  three  hundred  and 
fifty-four  thousandths. 

6.  Divide  two  hundred  and  twenty- two  ten  thou- 
sandths by  one  and  twenty-five  hundredths,  and  re- 
duce result  to  a  common  fraction  in  its  lowest  terms. 

019/  1/ 

7.  Reduce  -^  and  ■—  to  decimal  fractions  and 

/5  /3 

multiply  one  by  the  other. 

8.  How  much  of  each  kind  of  tea,  worth  72,  54, 
and  48  cents,  will  be  required  to  make  a  mixture  of 
100  pounds  worth  60  cents  per  pound  ? 

9.  If  320,000  bricks  9  in.  long,  5  in.  broad,  and 
2%  in.  thick  are  required  for  the  construction  of  a 
building,  how  many  bricks  12  in.  long,  6  in.  broad, 
and  3  in.  thick  would  be  required  for  the  same  pur- 
pose? 

10.  If  %  of  a  bushel  of  oats  be  required  for  %  of 
a  bushel  of  corn,  what  is  the  cost  of  a  bushel  of  oats 
when  corn  is  3/4  of  a  dollar  a  bushel  ? 


88  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

11.  What  part  of  13/25  +  8/21  is  V/7  -  %  ? 

12.  A  man  travels  3  miles  the  first  day,  5  the 
second,  7  the  third,  and  so  on,  till  he  went  57  miles 
in  one  day,  how  many  days  had  he  traveled  at  the 
close  of  the  last  day  ? 

Logarithms. 

1.  4-95  X  6981-7  X  56  X  -009872. 

A    58472 


89-54* 

876543  X  '03542 


-7654x321-28' 

4.  (15)5. 

5.  (-00009)-%. 

6.  (2364)%. 


*l*     V(  /00006)   • 

.    a.A     A       sin  25°  10'  15"  X  198 
8-SldeA^-sinl25-54-10"     ' 

9.  Hns  XL  A  =  i/5iT(105o  24-  7  ')  sin  (31^8^ 
y  sin  (35°  45'  14")  sin  (100°  39')* 

10    TanV  (A  1  B)-^(^°^^/>^(75°12'6") 
10.  Ian  /,  (A+J5)-  cos  (36o  ag,  39„} 

Algebra. 
1.  Multiply  z  +  y2az2-y4a2z3  by  l-y2az-f 


FROM  THE   ARMY.  89 

2.  Divide  15x5y3  +  Wy5  +  10x2y5  +  6z6  -f 
6z3?/2-5a;5#2-9a:2#4  —  6x4y*  by  2z2#2  +  3a;3 
+  3y2. 

3.  Divide  8  +  12x-1  +  2z-2  +  2x-*  by  *-££*-* 
-f-  4,  and  write  result  with  positive  exponents. 

4.  Find  the  G.  C.  D.  of  20a;6-  12z5  +  16a;4- 
15z3  +  14z2-15z-f  4  and  15a;4-  9a;3  +  47z2- 
21z  +  28. 

5.  Find  the  L.  C.  multiple  of  a;4-  10z2+9z4 
-fl02;34-202;2-10rr-21,  and  a;4  +  4a;3 -22a;2 - 
4a; +  21. 

x(a-\-x)      hax  —  x2       2  a2 
a  —  x  x  —  2         a  —  x 

a;4  — 54  s*+fta;' 

a;2—  2bx-\-b2        x  —  b' 

9.  Find  the  value  of  x  in  the  following  equation : 

10.  Find  the  value  of  x  in  the  following : 

40          'TAX  —  *05       H   _ 
•8  a; -r =  1-6  a; +  8-9. 


90  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Geometry. 

1.  In  equal  triangles  what  parts  must  be  equal — 
or,  how  many  parts  of  equal  triangles  must  be  equal, 
and  what  are  they  ? 

2.  What  is  the  sum  of  the  angles  of  any  triangle 
equal  to  ?    Demonstrate  it. 

3.  What  is  the  sum  of  the  exterior  angles  of  any 
polygon  equal  to?     Demonstrate  it. 

4.  How  many  circumferences  may  be  made  to 
pass  through  any  three  points  not  in  the  same 
straight  line  ?    Demonstrate  it. 

5.  In  equal  circles  what  is  the  relation  between 
angles  at  the  center  and  the  intercepted  arcs? 
Demonstrate  it. 

6.  What  is  the  measure  of  an  angle  inscribed  in 
a  circle?     Demonstrate  it. 

7.  In  any  triangle,  what  is  the  square  of  the  side 
opposite  an  acute  angle  equal  to  ?  opposite  an  obtuse 
angle  ?    Demonstrate  it. 

8.  How  does  a  line  drawn  parallel  to  the  base  of 
a  triangle  divide  the  other  two  sides  ?    Demonstrate. 

9.  When  are  triangles  similar? 

10.  What  is  the  relation  between  the  perimeters 
of  similar  polygons  and  also  between  their  areas  ? 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  91 

Trigonometry. 

1.  How  is  a  plane  angle  measured  ? 

2.  What  is  meant  by  the  complement  of  an  arc  ?. 

3.  What  is  meant  by  the  supplement  of  an  arc  ? 

4.  What  parts  of  a  triangle  must  be  known  in 
order  that  the  other  parts  may  be  determined  ? 

5.  Draw  a  diagram  showing  the  different  func- 
tions of  the  arc  used  in  trigonometry. 

6.  What  is  meant  by  the  natural  sine,  cosine,  etc.  ? 

7.  Given,  two  angles,  A  =  30°  25'  40",  C  =  95° 
18'  10",  and  side  AC  =  40  ;  determine  the  other 
sides. 

8.  Given,  two  sides,  CB  =  80-75,  AC  -  68-05,  and 
the  included  angle  =  125°  48'  10" ;  determine  the 
other  side. 

9.  Given,  the  sides  of  a  triangle,  288,500,  and 
384 ;  determine  the  angles. 

10.  The  base  of  a  right-angled  triangle  is  384, 
the  perpendicular  288  ;  determine  the  other  parts. 

Elements  of  Surveying. 

1.  In  the  measurement  of  distances  with  the 
chain  alone,  how  is  a  line  prolonged  beyond  an  ob- 
stacle, when  it  can  not  be  seen  over  ? 

2.  Using  the  surveyor's  compass,  how  are  correc- 


92  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

tions  made  for  local  attractions,  and  how  are  the 
field-notes  kept? 

3.  Kequired,  the  contents  and  plot  of  a  piece  of 
land  of  which  the  following  are  the  field-notes : 


STATIONS. 

BEARINGS. 

DISTANCES. 

1 

N52  E 

10-64 

2 

S  293/4  E 

4-09 

3 

S  31%  W 

7-68 

4 

N61  W 

7-24 

4.  Describe  the  method  of  finding  the  true  me- 
ridian with  the  compass. 

5.  Describe  the  vernier,  and  the  manner  of  read- 
ing an  instrument  by  it. 

6.  How  are  horizontal  angles  measured  with  the 
transit  ? 

7.  How  are  distances  measured,  using  the  stadia, 
or  micrometer,  and  rod  ? 

8.  Given  in  outline  the  principles  upon  which  a 
trigonometrical  survey  of  a  section  of  country  is 
made. 

9.  Describe  the  manner  of  locating  the  positions 
of  any  three  points  in  a  survey  by  means  of  a  plane 
table. 

10.  Explain  the   manner  of  finding  the  differ- 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  93 

ence  of  level  between  two  points  with  the  Y-level. 
Show  the  manner  of  keeping  the  field-notes. 

Geography. 

1.  What  countries  lie  entirely  within  the  Eastern 
hemisphere  ?  What  countries  lie  entirely  within  the 
Western  hemisphere  ?  What  countries  lie  partly 
within  both  hemispheres  ? 

2.  Define  latitude  and  longitude,  and  show  how 
the  latter  corresponds  to  time,  and  why. 

3.  On  what  general  principles  are  maps  con- 
structed ?    Explain  the  uses  of  scales  on  maps. 

4.  What  is  a  mountain  system  ?  Give  an  exam- 
ple of  one  in  North  America,  in  South  America,  in 
Asia,  and  in  Africa. 

5.  What  is  a  river  system  ?  Give  an  example  of 
one  in  each  of  the  foregoing  countries. 

6.  Give  the  positions  of  the  following  countries 
on  the  globe ;  name  the  waters  by  which  their 
coasts  are  washed,  their  principal  exports,  and  the 
names  of  the  races  of  people  occupying  them :  Brit- 
ish America;  the  United  States,  including  Alaska ; 
Mexico ;  Central  America ;  France ;  Denmark  ;  Eus- 
sia ;  India ;  Arabia ;  Australia ;  Japan  ;  and  South 
America. 

7.  Name   the   five   largest  rivers,   giving    their 


94  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

sources,  lengths,  and  mouths,  in  North  America; 
the  three  highest  mountains  ;  the  three  largest 
lakes,  with  their  outlets.  Which  is  the  highest 
mountain  in  the  United  States  east  of  the  Missis- 
sippi River? 

8.  Name  the  three  largest  rivers  in  South  Amer- 
ica, giving  their  sources,  lengths,  and  mouths ;  the 
highest  mountain-peak  in  South  America. 

9.  Name  the  provinces  constituting  the  Domin- 
ion of  Canada.  What  is  the  form  of  government  of 
the  Dominion? 

10.  W'hat  are  the  principal  islands  in  the  Carib- 
bean Sea  ?  What  is  the  name  of  the  first  island  dis- 
covered by  Columbus?  To  what  group  of  islands 
does  it  belong  ? 

11.  Where  does  the  Gulf  Stream  originate?  In 
what  direction  does  it  flow,  and  what  effect  has  it  on 
the  climate  of  the  countries  near  which  it  passes  ? 
What  produces  it?  What  stream  on  the  Pacific 
coast  resembles  it  in  origin  and  effects? 

12.  What  are  the  chief  agricultural  products  of 
the  United  States  on  the  Atlantic  coast — in  the 
Mississippi  River  basin  ?  Why  is  the  climate  of  the 
Pacific  coast  so  different  from  that  of  the  Atlantic 
coast  ? 

13.  Where  are  the  outlets  of  the  Humboldt  and 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  95 

Carson  Rivers?    Into  what  does  the  Saskatchewan 
How? 

14.  Where  is  the  Congo  Free  State?    Bound  it. 

15.  Where  are  the  divides,  or  water-sheds,  sepa- 
rating the  sources  of  the  following  rivers? — The  Mis- 
souri from  the  Columbia ;  the  Ohio  from  the  Hud- 
son ;  the  Rhine  from  the  Danube ;  the  Congo  from 
the  Nile. 

16.  Where  is  the  Argentine  Republic  situated? 
Name  its  three  principal  cities.  How  far  does  Chili 
extend  along  the  coast  of  South  America?  To  what 
country  does  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  belong  ? 

17.  Name  some  of  the  chief  productions  of  Mexi- 
co. What  railroads  connect  Mexico  with  the  United 
States?  What  is  the  principal  harbor  on  the  east- 
ern coast  ?  on  the  western  coast  ? 

18.  Where  is  St.  George's  Channel?  the  Irish 
Sea?  Name  the  four  principal  rivers  in  France. 
Where  are  the  Vosges  Mountains  ?  Where  is  Vladi- 
vostocks?  Where  is  the  Punjaub,  and  what  river 
flows  through  it?  What  country  borders  on  the 
west? 

19.  Where  is  Copenhagen?  To  what  govern- 
ment does  Hong-Kong  belong?  What  kingdoms 
are  comprised  in  the  German  Empire?  Where  is 
Iceland  situated,  and  to  what  government  does  it 


96  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

belong?    About  opposite  what  State  of  the  United 
States  is  Bermuda  situated  ? 

20.  What  is  the  shortest  fresh-water  route  from 
Chicago  to  New  York  ?  to  Philadelphia  ?  By  what 
route  can  a  letter  be  sent  in  the  shortest  time  from 
London  to  Yokohama  ?  A  ship  sailing  from  Nor- 
folk, Va.,  to  Melbourne,  without  going  through  the 
Suez  Canal,  would  take  what  route?  What  route 
would  be  traveled  by  a  ship  sailing  from  Liverpool 
to  Canton  via  Suez  Canal  ?  The  Suez  Canal  being 
closed,  what  route  would  a  ship  sailing  from  Cron- 
stadt  to  Vladivostock  have  to  take  ?  In  going  from 
Burlington,  Vt,  to  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  in  a  straight 
line,  what  States  would  you  pass  through? 

History. 

1.  Give  a  brief  account  of  the  military  exploits 
of  Alexander  the  Great. 

2.  Give  a  brief  summary  of  the  military  opera- 
tions of  Hannibal. 

3.  Give  a  brief  summary  of  the  military  exploits 
of  Julius  Caesar. 

4.  Who  were  the  Huns,  Goths,  and  Vandals? 
Where  did  they  come  from?  And  who  were  the 
principal  leaders  of  each  engaged  at  different  times 
in  attacking  Home  and  overrunning  her  territory  ? 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  97 

5.  Give  a  short  account  of  Charlemagne's  career, 
and  state  the  greatest  extent  of  country  ruled  over 
by  him. 

6.  State  briefly  the  origin  of  the  Crusades,  and 
the  most  important  results. 

7.  When  did  the  fall  of  Constantinople,  and 
the  consequent  fall  of  the  Eastern  Empire,  take 
place  ? 

8.  Who  were  the  rulers  of  France,  Spain,  and 
England  when  the  Reformation  began  ? 

9.  What  were  the  most  important  results  of  the 
defeat  of  the  Spanish  armada? 

10.  Give  a  brief  summary  of  the  career  of  Oliver 
Cromwell.  What  was  the  English  Commonwealth, 
and  how  long  did  it  last  ? 

11.  What  was  the  Revolution  of  1688  in  England, 
and  how  brought  about?  Name  some  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Bill  of  Rights. 

12.  When  did  the  Seven  Years'  War  begin  and 
end  ?  Name  three  battles  in  which  Frederick  was 
victorious,  and  two  in  which  he  lost. 

13.  When  was  Napoleon  first  crowned  Emperor 
of  France  ?  Give  a  brief  summary  of  his  military 
operations  in  1805.  What  great  naval  battle  was 
fought  in  that  year  ? 

14.  Give  a  summary  of  the  causes,  direct  and  in- 


98  THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

direct,  which  brought  about  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, 1776. 

15.  Give  a  brief  account  of  the  battle  of  Long 
Island,  and  the  subsequent  operations  of  the  Ameri- 
can troops  up  to  and  including  the  battle  of  Tren- 
ton. What  were  the  immediate  effects  of  the  vic- 
tory gained  by  Washington? 

16.  What  were  the  most  important  results  to  the 
Americans  of  Burgoyne's  surrender  ? 

17.  When  were  the  Articles  of  Confederation 
adopted  by  the  thirteen  States?  What  title  did 
the  confederacy  take  under  these  articles?  What 
powers  were  granted  to  the  General  Government? 

18.  Give  a  brief  account  of  the  military  opera- 
tions which  led  to  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis's 
army?  Where  and  when  was  the  treaty  of  peace 
between  the  United  States  and  England  signed  ? 

19.  What  were  the  causes  of  Shays's  rebellion? 

20.  When  was  the  Federal  Constitution  adopted, 
and  when  did  the  first  Congress  authorized  by  it  as- 
semble ?  What  name  was  given  to  the  members  of 
the  party  supporting  the  Constitution  ?  to  the  one 
opposing  it  ?  When  were  the  names  of  Republican 
and  Democratic  first  given  to  political  parties  in  the 
United  States? 

21.  Give  a  brief  account  of  the  causes  of  the 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  99 

Whisky  Insurrection.     When  did  it  occur,  and  how 
was  it  suppressed  ? 

22.  Give  the  boundaries  of  the  territory  added 
to  the  United  States  by  the  Louisiana  purchase  of 
1803. 

23.  When,  without  any  actual  declaration  of 
war,  did  hostilities  begin  between  the  United  States 
and  France?  Name  some  of  the  vessels  engaged  in 
action.  What  claims  were  made  against  the  United 
States  by  some  of  their  citizens,  growing  out  of  this 
state  of  affairs  ? 

24.  Name  some  of  the  causes,  direct  and  indirect, 
which  led  to  the  declaration  of  war  against  England 
in  1812. 

25.  What  was  the  Missouri  Compromise  ?  When 
adopted  ?    When  repealed  ? 

26.  Give  a  brief  account  of  the  nullification  acts 
of  South  Carolina  in  1832.  What  resulted  from 
them? 

27.  State  briefly  the  causes  of  the  war  between 
the  United  States  and  Mexico.  What  were  the 
terms  of  the  treaty  made  between  the  two  powers 
at  the  close  of  the  war?  What  is  the  Gadsden  pur- 
chase ? 

28.  Give  a  brief  account  of  the  battles  of  Gettys- 
burg and  Nashville,  the  names  of  the  generals  com- 


100         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

manding  on  both  sides,  the  results  of  the  battles, 
etc. 

29.  What  were  the  Alabama  claims,  and  how  dis- 
posed of  ? 

30.  When  did  the  United  States  resume  specie 
payment  after  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  1861-'65  ? 

Constitutional  Law. 

1.  Into  how  many  departments  does  the  Consti- 
tution distribute  the  powers  of  the  Government  of 
the  United  States?  Explain  the  powers  of  each, 
and  how  they  deal  as  regards  time. 

2.  The  Constitution,  in  enumerating  the  powers 
which  shall  be  exercised  by  authority  of  the  General 
Government,  confers  them  in  terms  upon  Congress. 
What  are  they  ? 

(1)  Finances,  (2)  commerce,  (3)  commercial,  (4) 
penalties,  (5)  postal,  (6)  patent  and  copyrights,  (7) 
war,  (8)  judiciary,  (9)  naturalization,  (10)  terri- 
tory, (11)  states,  (12)  executive  vacancy,  (13) 
appointments,  (14)  constitutional  amendments, 
(15)  slavery,  (16)  general  law-making,  (17)  meet- 
ing. 

3.  Enumerate  the  prohibitions  on  the  United 
States. 

(1)  Habeas  corpus,  (2)  direct  taxes,  (3)  export 


PROM  THE  ARMY.  1Q1 

duties,  (4)  interstate  commerce,  (5)  public  money, 
(6)  nobility,  (7)  penalties,  (8)  foreign  slave  trade, 
(9)  repudiation,  (10)  freedom. 

4.  Enumerate  the  prohibitions  on  the  States. 
(1)  State  relations,  (2)  commerce,  (3)  war,  (4) 

penalties,  (5)  nobility,  (6)  duties,  (7)  slavery. 

5.  What  rights  are  reserved  to  the  States  ? 

(1)  Kepresentation,  (2)  citizenship,  (3)  state 
amity,  (4)  new  States,  (5)  elections,  (6)  militia  offi- 
cers, (7)  Federal  protection,  (8)  fugitives,  (9)  reser- 
vations. 

6.  What  personal  rights  are  guaranteed  under 
the  Constitution  ? 

(1)  Domicile,  (2)  security,  (3)  judicial,  (4)  crim- 
inal actions,  (5)  civil  actions,  (6)  treason,  (7)  official 
immunities. 

7.  Where  is, the  judicial  power  of  the  Govern- 
ment vested  ? 

8.  Jurisdiction  of  the  judicial  power  ? 

9.  In  what  cases  has  the  Supreme  Court  original 
jurisdiction  ? 

10.  In  what  cases  appellate  jurisdiction? 

11.  Define  citizenship. 

12.  By  what  process  may  an  alien  be  made  a  citi- 
zen ?  Explain  the  steps  required,  and  give  excep- 
tions in  favor  of  soldiers. 


102         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

13.  Give  the  three  processes  by  which  a  bill  may 
become  a  law. 

14.  What  are  ex  post  facto  laws  ? 

15.  In  what  case  has  the  President  no  pardoning 
power  ? 

16.  How  are  treaties  made? 

17.  What  two  methods  of  proposing  and  ratify- 
ing amendments  to  the  Constitution  ? 

18.  In  what  does  treason  consist,  and  what  is 
necessary  to  convict  ? 

19.  Explain  the  difference  between  taxes,  duties, 
imposts,  and  excises. 

20.  In  case  of  the  removal,  death,  resignation,  or 
inability  of  both  the  President  and  Vice-President, 
give  the  order  of  presidential  succession. 


International  Law. 

1.  Who  are  parties  to  international  law  ? 

2.  What  do  you  understand  by  the  sovereignty 
of  a  State? 

3.  How  are  governments  classified  ?    Name  and 
define  each. 

4.  How  are  sovereign  powers  classified  ? 

5.  How  is  the  national  character  of  an  individ- 
ual determined  ? 


PROM  THE  ARMY.  103 

6.  Define  extradition,  and  by  what  three  ways 
it  may  be  effected. 

7.  As  nations  can  not  treat  directly  with  each 
other,  how  is  intercourse  between  them  carried  on, 
and  how  classified  ? 

8.  For  what  purposes  are  consuls  appointed  ? 

9.  Define  treaties,  their  purpose.  To  whom  does 
the  right  of  making  treaties  belong  ? 

10.  In  case  of  conflict  of  international  rights, 
what  three  ways  of  adjusting  these  differences  are 
most  frequently  resorted  to  ? 

11.  Without  resorting  to  war,  what  two  means 
of  redress  involving  the  use  of  forcible  or  hostile 
measures  are  there  ? 

12.  Define  combatant  and  noncombatant,  and 
state  under  which  class  you  would  place  surgeons 
and  chaplains. 

13.  In  case  of  war,  what  methods  of  communi- 
cation between  belligerents  in  the  field  ? 

14.  What  is  the  distinction  between  safe-conduct 
and  safeguards  ? 

15.  What  is  a  spy? 

16.  What  is  the  distinction  between  guerrillas 
and  partisans  ? 

17.  What  do  you  understand  by  contraband  of 
war? 


104         THREE   ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

18.  Define  blockade. 

19.  What  constitutes  a  valid  blockade  ? 

20.  What  do  you  understand  by  the  belligerent 
right  of  search  ? 

Army  Regulations. 

1.  The  post  noncommissioned  staff  shall  con- 
sist of— ? 

2.  Where  is  the  military  control  of  noncommis- 
sioned officers  of  the  general  staff  serving  at  posts 
not  occupied  by  troops  vested  ? 

3.  What  will  enlisted  men  detached  from  their 
companies  be  provided  with,  and  what  must  it 
show? 

4.  In  what  ways  may  an  enlisted  man  be  dis- 
charged before  the  expiration  of  service  ? 

5.  What  books  of  record  will  be  kept  at  each 
post? 

6.  How  are  sergeants  and  corporals  appointed  ? 

7.  How  first  sergeants  ? 

8.  Who  are  artificers  ? 

9.  Name  the  company  books  of  record.  De- 
scribe their  use,  and  how  kept. 

10.  When  is  a  board  of  survey  necessary  for  un- 
serviceable stores? 

11.  By  whom  is  property  condemned? 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  105 

12.  How  many  kinds  of  orders  are  there  ?     How 
numbered  and  denominated  ? 


Practical  Examination  in  Infantry  Drill 
Kegulations. 

Immediately  preceding  the  execution  of  each 
movement,  candidates  will  give  the  proper  com- 
mands and  explanations  of  it.  Also  correct  any 
errors  occurring  in  their  subdivisions  during  the 
execution  of  movements. 

School  of  the  Soldier  and  Squad. 

Facings. — Right;  left;  rear. 

Setting  up  Exercise. — One  each  of  arm ;  trunk ; 
leg. 

Steps. — Side  ;  change  step. 

Manual  of  Arms. — Being  at  the  order,  all  of 
it  by  the  numbers,  including  loadings  and  fir- 
ings— standing,  kneeling,  and  lying.  Align  the 
squad. 

Bayonet  Exercise. — Take  distance  to  the  front 
and  go  through  the  whole  exercise. 

Extended  Order.  —  Deploy  to  the  front;  on 
the  line ;  extend  and  close  intervals ;  rally ;  as- 
semble. 

School  of  Platoon. — As  chiefs  of  platoons,  all 


106         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

movements  by  platoons  in  the  school  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Extended  Order. — Deploy  the  whole  platoon  to 
the  front  into  line  of  squads;  assemble  on  right 
squad,  first  section ;  from  a  halt,  deploy  first  section 
into  line  of  skirmishers,  holding  second  section  as 
reserve ;  extend  and  close  intervals  on  right  squad ; 
assemble  on  left  squad,  first  section;  form  column 
of  fours ;  form  right  front  into  line  of  squads ;  de- 
ploy as  skirmishers ;  rally  by  sections ;  assemble  on 
first  section ;  form  column  of  fours ;  form  on  right 
into  line  of  squads ;  take  one  section  as  reserve  and 
re-enforce  the  firing-line  according  to  the  different 
methods,  using  the  approximate  fire  for  each  case, 
and  giving  instructions  in  the  natural  cover. 

Practical  Examination  in  Cavalry  Drill 
Regulations. 

Immediately  preceding  the  execution  of  each 
movement,  candidates  will  give  the  proper  com- 
mands and  explanations  of  it.  Also  correct  any 
errors  occurring  in  their  subdivisions  during  the 
execution  of  movements. 


FROM  THE  ARMY.  107 

School  of  the  Soldier  and  Squad. 

Facings. — Right;  left;  rear. 

Setting  up  Exercise. — One  each  of  arm ;  trunk ; 
leg. 

Steps. — Side ;  change  step. 

Manual  of  Arms. — Being  at  the  order,  execute 
by  numbers,  right  shoulder ;  carry ;  port ;  carry ; 
sling  carbines ;  unsling  carbines ;  loadings  and  fir- 
ings ;  standing,  kneeling,  and  lying. 

Extended  Order  Dismounted. — Deploy  as  skir- 
mishers to  front;  assemble  by  squads;  deploy  to 
right  flank ;  form  line  of  squads  to  the  right  front 
from  column  of  fours ;  assemble. 

Trooper  Mounted. — Dismount  and  mount  (horse 
saddled) ;  draw  saber ;  execute  right,  left,  and  rear 
moulinets ;  raise,  charge  saber  ;  right,  left,  and  rear 
cuts ;  right,  left,  and  rear  points ;  right,  left,  right 
and  left  low  parries ;  head  parry,  against  infantry 
right  parry ;  same,  left  parry. 

School  of  Platoon. — As  chiefs,  four  designated 
movements. 

Extended  Order  Mounted. — Form  line  of  squads, 
from  halt  and  marching.  Deploy  on  interior  squad, 
halt  platoon,  form  column  of  fours,  form  line  of 
squads  to  right,  front,  and  halt ;  to  the  right,  and 


108         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

halt.     Form  line  of  squads,  deploy  to  right  front, 
left  front,  to  a  flank. 

Platoon  deployed,  rally  it ;  assemble  it ;  rally  by 
squads ;  to  fight  on  foot ;  action  left  front ;  right 
front;  left.  Assemble  platoon  dismounted,  deploy 
into  line  of  squads,  keeping  one  as  support.  Then 
into  skirmishers,  and  execute  the  different  firings  by 
squads,  rapid  fire,  etc.,  used  in  making  an  attack. 


CHAPTER  III. 

COMMISSIONS   FROM   CIVIL   LIFE. 

As  previously  stated,  the  law  provides  that  ap- 
pointments to  the  grade  of  second  lieutenant  in  the 
army  are  given  first  to  the  graduates  of  the  Military 
Academy,  and,  should  any  vacancies  yet  exist,  then 
to  certain  meritorious  soldiers  of  the  army,  and,  last, 
to  such  persons  from  civil  life  as  the  President  of 
the  United  States  may  elect.  "Appointments  of 
civilians,  except  of  graduates  of  the  Military  Acad- 
emy who  have  been  honorably  discharged,  will  not 
be  made  in  time  of  peace,  unless  more  vacancies 
exist  than  will  be  required  in  the  assignment  of  the 
next  graduating  class."  Therefore  the  selection  of 
civilians  for  these  positions  rests  solely  with  the 
President,  and  he  has  prescribed  certain  conditions 
which  must  be  fulfilled  prior  to  issuing  these  ap- 
pointments, which  are  outlined  in  the  following 
order  from  the  War  Department : 


HO         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Headquarters  of  the  Army, 
Adjutant  General's  Office, 
Washington,  August  10,  1891. 
General  Orders,  No.  72. 

By  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  follow- 
ing rules  governing  the  examination  of  candidates 
for  the  appointment  of  second  lieutenant  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States  from  civil  life  are  sub- 
stituted for  those  prescribed  in  General  Orders,  No. 
5,  of  1890,  from  this  office,  and  are  published  for 
the  information  and  government  of  all  concerned. 
The  educational  conditions  herein  prescribed  are 
essential  in  connection  with  the  schools  for  com- 
missioned officers  at  Forts  Leavenworth  and  Mon- 
roe: 

I.  No  person  shall  be  examined  unless  he  has  a 
letter  from  the  War  Department  authorizing  his 
examination. 

If  the  candidate  has  been  graduated  at  an  in- 
stitution where  he  received  military  instruction,  he 
must  present  a  recommendation  from  the  faculty  of 
the  institution. 

If  a  member  of  the  National  Guard,  he  must 
present  recommendations  from  the  proper  National 
Guard  authorities. 

II.  Every  candidate  will  be  subjected  to  a  rigid 
physical  examination,  and  if  there  be  found  to  exist 


FROM   CIVIL  LIFE.  m 

any  cause  of  disqualification  to  such  a  degree  as 
might  in  the  future  impair  his  efficiency  as  an 
officer  of  the  army  he  will  be  rejected.  The  board 
will  inquire  and  report  concerning  each  applicant 
whether  he  is  of  good  moral  character  or  addicted 
to  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors.  Examination  as 
to  physical  qualifications  shall  conform  to  the  stand- 
ard required  of  recruits,  and  shall  include  a  certifi- 
cate of  physical  examination  by  two  medical  officers 
to  accompany  the  proceedings  of  the  board  (which 
shall  embrace  all  the  information  required  by  the 
form  for  the  examination  of  recruits). 

III.  No  candidate  will  be  examined  who  is  under 
twenty-one  or  over  twenty-seven  years  of  age ;  who, 
in  the  judgment  of  the  board,  is  not  physically 
qualified  to  discharge  all  the  duties  of  an  officer  in 
active  service ;  who  has  any  deformity  of  body  or 
mental  infirmity,  or  whose  moral  habits  are  bad. 

IV.  The  board,  being  satisfied  as  to  these  pre- 
liminary points,  will  proceed  to  examine  each  can- 
didate separately : 

1.  In  his  knowledge  of  English  grammar,  and 
his  ability  to  read,  write,  and  spell  with  facility  and 
correctness. 

2.  In  his  knowledge  of  arithmetic,  and  his  abil- 
ity to  apply  its  rules  to  all  practical  questions ;  in 


112         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

his  knowledge  of  the  use  of  logarithms  and  ability 
to  apply  them  to  questions  of  practice ;  in  his  knowl- 
edge of  algebra,  to  include  the  solution  of  simple 
equations ;  and  in  his  knowledge  of  geometry,  plane 
trigonometry,  and  the  elements  of  surveying. 

3.  In  his  knowledge  of  geography,  particularly 
in  reference  to  the  northern  continent  of  America. 

4.  In  his  knowledge  of  the  outlines  of  general 
history,  and  particularly  the  history  of  his  own 
country. 

5.  In  his  knowledge  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  and  the  organization  of  the  Govern- 
ment under  it,  and  the  elements  of  international 
law. 

6.  The  board,  having  examined  into  the  mental 
qualifications  of  each  candidate  and  his  character 
for  sobriety  and  fidelity,  shall  also  inquire  into  his 
general  qualifications,  aptitude,  and  probable  effi- 
ciency as  an  officer  of  the  army. 

V.  In  awarding  marks,  the  board  will  give  to 
each  subject  in  the  examination  the  relative  weight 
given  in  the  form  following  below. 

Thb  general  average  of  the  candidate  will  be 
computed  as  follows : 

Mark  each  question  according  to  its  relative 
weight,  and   reduce  the  aggregate  of  marks  thus 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE. 


113 


obtained  in  each  subject  to  a  scale  of  one  hundred. 
The  result  will  give  the  average  of  proficiency  in 
the  subject.  Multiply  the  average  in  each  subject 
by  the  number  indicating  the  relative  weight  of  the 
subject,  and  divide  the  sum  of  the  products  by  the 
sum  of  the  relative  weights ;  the  quotient  will  be  the 
general  average.  No  candidate  will  be  passed  by 
the  board  who  shall  not  have  attained  an  average 
of  65  per  cent  in  each  subject  of  examination,  and  a 
general  average  of  at  least  70  per  cent. 


Example 


No. 

Subjects. 

t 

1 

"3 '53 

Products  of 
multiplica- 
tion by  rela- 
tive weights. 

1 

English  grammar 

82 
76 
80 
73 
65 
95 

3 
4 
2 
8 
2 
3 

246 

s 

Arithmetic,  algebra,  etc 

304 

3 

Geography 

160 

4 

History 

219 

5 
6 

Constitutional  and  international  law. 
Aptitude  and  probable  efficiency 

General  average 

130 

285 

17 

1.344 

WtV 

VI.  When  an  examining  board  shall  have  passed 
upon  more  than  one  candidate,  the  order  of  relative 
merit  of  all  candidates  examined  by  the  board  will 
be  reported. 


114         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

VII.  Boards  for  the  examination  of  applicants 
from  civil  life  for  appointment  to  commission  in 
the  army  will  be  appointed  by  the  Secretary  of  War, 
and  shall  consist  of  five  commissioned  officers,  in- 
cluding two  medical  officers.  The  duties  of  the 
medical  officers  will  be  confined  to  inquiring  into 
and  reporting  upon  the  physical  qualifications  of 
the  candidates. 

The  proceedings  of  the  board  will  be  forwarded 
to  the  Adjutant-General. 

By  command  of  Major- General  Schofield : 
J.  C.  Keltok, 

Adjutant  General. 

By  comparing  the  foregoing  order  with  the  cor- 
responding one  giving  the  rules  governing  the  ex- 
amination for  promotion  of  meritorious  soldiers  of 
the  army  to  the  grade  of  second  lieutenant,  it  will 
be  seen  that,  practically,  the  mental,  moral,  and 
physical  examinations  are  the  same.  The  only  ma- 
terial difference  is  that  noncommissioned  officers 
are  examined  in  drill  and  army  regulations,  and 
candidates  from  civil  life  are  not  examined  in  these 
subjects.  The  method  of  marking  examination 
papers  and  the  averages  to  be  attained  are  the  same. 
Therefore,  in  order  not  to  make  unnecessary  repeti- 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  115 

tions,  the  civilian  candidate  is  referred  to  so  much 
of  the  examinations  of  noncommissioned  officers  of 
the  army  as  are  applicable  to  his  case.  A  list  of  the 
questions  asked  by  an  examining  board  in  1891  is, 
however,  given  for  his  information  and  guidance. 
Many  of  the  "  points  "  suggested  to  candidates  ap- 
pointed to  the  Military  Academy  relative  to  their 
entrance  examination  are  also  applicable  in  the  ex- 
amination of  civilians  for  appointment  to  the  grade 
of  second  lieutenant  in  the  army,  and  their  atten- 
tion is  invited  to  them.  It  will  also  be  noted  that 
competitors  from  the  army  are  required  to  undergo 
two  examinations,  while  but  one  is  prescribed  for 
the  civilian  candidate. 

Manner  of  making  Application. 

Applications  are  made  usually  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  or  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
An  application  should  be  in  writing,  should  state 
age,  birthplace,  residence,  and  qualifications  of  the 
applicant,  accompanied  by  such  recommendations 
of  institutions  of  learning  and  prominent  men  as 
are  obtainable. 

Should  vacancies  in  the  army  exist  after  the  as- 
signment of  the  graduating  class  at  West  Point,  and 
of  such  meritorious  soldiers  as  may  have  been  duly 


116         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

recommended  for  promotion,  the  applications  of 
civilian  candidates  are  considered  at  the  War  De- 
partment. Successful  applicants  are  then  duly  in- 
formed, and  directed  to  appear  before  an  army 
examining  board,  which  is  to  determine  their  fitness 
for  the  position  of  second  lieutenant  in  the  army. 

Place  and  Method  of  Examination. 

In  past  years  the  examining  boards  have  met  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  or  Fort  Monroe,  Va.,  but  they 
may  meet  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  or  any  other 
suitable  place.  As  civilians  are  at  their  own  ex- 
pense during  examination  it  is  customary  to  hold 
it  at  some  central  point,  and  where  army  officers  are 
available.  The  examination  takes  place,  as  a  rule, 
in  the  fall  of  the  year. 

The  board  meets,  usually,  about  10  A.  If.  The 
first  day  is  given  up  to  the  physical  examination  of 
the  candidates,  which,  as  already  explained,  is  very 
rigid.  The  candidates  will  then  present  such  testi- 
monials as  to  character  as  they  may  desire,  having, 
previous  to  the  physical  examination,  tendered  their 
letter  from  the  War  Department  authorizing  them 
to  appear  before  the  board. 

Boards  sometimes  require  candidates  to  write  a 
brief    history  of    themselves   from  their   fifteenth 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  Hf 

birthday.     The  mental  examination  is  then  begun, 
usually  taking  the  subjects  in  their  order. 

In  some  cases  the  time  for  completing  an  exam- 
ination is  limited ;  in  others  it  may  not  be.  This 
rests  with  the  board  of  examiners. 

As  soon  as  possible  the  examination  papers  are 
passed  upon  by  the  board,  and  its  proceedings, 
which  include  its  recommendations,  together  with 
the  examination  papers  of  each  candidate,  are  for- 
warded to  the  adjutant-general  of  the  army,  who, 
at  as  early  a  date  as  practicable,  will  inform  each 
candidate  as  to  the  result  of  the  examination.  The 
successful  candidates  will  receive  their  appointments 
as  second  lieutenants  in  the  army. 

The  examining  board  may  or  may  not  choose  to 
inform  the  candidates  as  to  the  result  of  their  ex- 
aminations, but  it  is  usually  the  part  of  prudence 
to  remain  silent  on  this  point,  as  their  recommenda- 
tions may  not  be  approved  by  the  War  Department, 
and  hence  false  hopes  will  have  been  entertained  by 
the  candidates,  which,  to  say  the  least,  will  not  be 
pleasant. 

Hints  to  Candidates. 

The  difficulty  of  obtaining  an  appointment  to 
the  army  from  civil  life  may  be  estimated  when  it 
is  known  that  where  there  is  a  vacancy  for  one  ap- 


118         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

pointment  there  are  on  file  at  the  War  Department 
at  least  one  hundred  applications  for  it. 

Recently  the  sons  of  army  officers,  distinguished 
graduates  of  military  schools,  and  promising  young 
officers  of  the  National  Guard  have  received  the 
majority   of   these   appointments.      From   1884   to 

1890  only  two  or  three  such  appointments  were 
made,  there  being  no  vacancies  in  the  army.     In 

1891  about  twenty  appointments  were  made  from 
civil  life,  due  to  certain  legislation  which  caused  an 
unusual  number  of  vacancies  by  the  retirement  of  a 
large  number  of  officers  disabled  as  a  result  .of 
wounds  received  or  exposure  during  the  rebellion. 
The  probabilities  of  many  such  appointments  being 
made  each  year  in  the  near  future  are  not  prom- 
ising. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  last  clause  of  the  rules 
for  examination  directs  the  examining  board  to 
"inquire  into  the  candidate's  general  qualifications, 
aptitude,  and  probable  efficiency  as  an  officer  of  the 
army."  On  this  subject  the  board  awards  a  mark 
.which  counts  as  much  in  determining  the  general 
average  as  grammar  or  history.  Hence  attention 
should  be  directed  to  this  subject.  The  points  that 
will  be  considered  in  this  respect  are  the  extent  of 
the  instruction  the  candidate  has  received  outside  of 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  H9 

his  mere  mental  examination  on  the  subjects  enu- 
merated. Being  a  graduate  of  a  college,  military 
training,  or  experience  in  army  matters,  or  knowl- 
edge of  other  matters  that  affect  an  officer's  effi- 
ciency, such  as  being  more  or  less  experienced  in 
the  control  of  men,  are  all  subjects  that  would  add 
weight  to  a  candidate's  examination. 

In  studying  for  examination  there  is  but  little 
choice  in  the  selection  of  text-books,  as  any  of  the 
books  used  in  modern  schools  treating  of  the  re- 
quired subjects  will  be  sufficient  authority.  On 
constitutional  and  international  law  the  following 
works  are  authority  in  the  army,  although  many 
others  will  answer  quite  as  well :  Cooley's  Constitu- 
tional Law  and  Davis's  International  Law.  It 
might  be  well  to  state  the  name  of  the  author  of 
each  text-book  studied  on  the  corresponding  exami- 
nation paper. 

It  is  a  popular  belief  that  army  officers  have 
nothing  to  do  in  time  of  peace,  and  that  their  time 
is  spent  in  ease  and  luxury.  Some  persons  have  the 
impression  that  the  average  army  officer  is  always 
dancing  and  flirting.  Others  suppose  he  gambles 
and  is  intemperate  in  his  habits. 

If  the  reader  is  desirous  of  entering  the  army  as 
an  officer  and  is  possessed  of  any  of  the  foregoing 


120         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

opinions,  and  supposes  that  his  fortune  is  made  and 
all  work  ended  when  he  succeeds  in  getting  a  com- 
mission, he  will  find  that  he  is  wonderfully  mis- 
taken, for  idleness  and  intemperance  are  the  excep- 
tions, and  not  the  rule. 

Besides  the  usual  routine  garrison  duties,  such  as 
guard,  drill,  parades,  courts,  boards,  etc.,  every  post 
in  the  army  is  a  school.  During  the  winter  months 
theoretical  instruction  is  imparted  in  the  art  and 
science  of  war,  military  topography,  field  engineer- 
ing, etc.,  and  each  officer  prepares  and  reads  essays 
on  military  subjects.  Besides  this,  he  acts  as  in- 
structor at  the  various  schools  for  noncommissioned 
officers,  where  theoretical  instruction  is  given  in  the 
drill  regulations,  manual  of  guard  duty,  and  firing 
regulations.  The  summer  months  are  spent  in 
camp,  on  the  rifle  range,  and  putting  in  practice  the 
theoretical  knowledge  obtained  at  school  in  winter. 

Rigid  theoretical  and  practical  examinations 
have  to  be  passed  by  every  officer  prior  to  promo- 
tion. Should  he  fail,  he  is  given  a  year  to  prepare, 
during  which  time  he  loses  his  promotion.  Should 
he  fail  at  the  second  examination,  he  is  dropped 
from  the  rolls  of  the  army.  The  examination  covers 
the  art  and  science  of  war,  military  surveying  and 
topography,  field   engineering,  military  and  inter- 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  121 

national  law,  and  laws  of  war,  army,  drill,  and  firing 
regulations,  and  other  service  manuals. 

Assignment  to  Regiment. 

Officers  appointed  to  the  army  from  civil  life 
may  be  assigned  to  any  arm  of  the  service,  but  the 
War  Department  appoints  the  great  majority  of 
them  to  the  infantry  and  cavalry,  and  unless  par- 
ticular personal  reasons  exist  no  single  regiment  has 
any  special  advantages.  The  pay  begins  from  the 
date  of  acceptance  of  appointment,  but  a  person 
appointed  from  civil  life  is  required  to  bear  all  ex- 
penses incurred  until  he  has  joined  his  first  station, 
which  is  generally  some  large  military  post,  not 
necessarily  the  station  of  his  own  regiment,  where 
he  remains  for  a  few  months  to  learn  the  prelimi- 
nary duties  of  an  officer. 

If  you  wish,  however,  to  be  assigned  to  a  par- 
ticular regiment  or  arm  of  the  service  a  letter  to 
that  effect  should  be  addressed  to  the  adjutant  gen- 
eral of  the  army,  at  Washington,  as  soon  as  your 
examination  is  completed,  stating  your  reasons  for 
desiring  such  an  assignment. 

Many  of  the  remarks  near  the  close  of  Chapter  I, 
on  Assignment  to  Regiment,  apply  with  equal  force 
to  the  young  lieutenant  from  civil  life. 


122        THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Immediately  after  the  examination  is  concluded 
each  candidate  should  inform  the  adjutant  general 
of  the  army  where  mail  matter  will  reach  him,  so 
that  he  may  receive  an  early  notification  as  to  the 
result  of  his  examination. 

The  successful  candidates  receive  appointments 
as  second  lieutenants  in  the  army,  and  receive  pay 
as  such  from  date  of  acceptance,  but,  as  before  re- 
marked, all  traveling  and  other  expenses  must  be 
borne  by  the  candidate  until  he  has  joined  his  first 
station.  He  is  allowed  thirty  days'  delay  in  report- 
ing for  duty,  to  enable  him  to  procure  proper  uni- 
form, equipments,  etc.  Uniforms  may  be  obtained 
from  military  tailors  in  New  York  city,  Lancaster, 
Pa.,  Washington,  Philadelphia,  and  other  cities. 
The  best  uniforms  are  always  the  cheapest  in  the 
long  run ;  but  a  lieutenant,  on  first  joining,  will  do 
well  to  provide  himself  with  a  fatigue  coat  and 
trousers  made  from  a  little  cheaper  grade  of  mate- 
rial for  rough  service,  in  addition  to  a  fatigue  suit 
of  the  best  quality.  Dress  coats  should  always  be 
made  by  first-class  tailors,  and  from  the  best  of  ma- 
terial. Equipments  may  be  purchased  from  firms 
in  the  large  cities,  and  it  is  never  good  policy  for  an 
officer  to  purchase  anything  in  this  line  except  it  is 
of  superior  quality. 


UNIVERSITY 

FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  123 

Every  officer  should  provide  himself  with  one 
full-dress  uniform,  one  undress  uniform,  an  over- 
coat, helmet,  shoulder  knots,  sword  and  sword  knot, 
dress  belt,  undress  belt,  forage  cap,  and  a  dozen 
pairs  of  white  lisle  thread  gloves.  A  cape,  though 
not  a  necessity,  is  one  of  the  most  useful  articles  in 
an  officer's  outfit.  The  entire  cost  of  these  articles, 
exclusive  of  the  cape,  is  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars. 

Examination  (Civil  Appointments). 
Arithmetic. 

1.  Multiply  %  X  %8  X  '%  X  2%0.  Answer  in 
lowest  terms. 

2.  Divide  thirty-two  and  twenty-six  thousandths 
by  fifty-seven  ten  thousandths. 

3.  Extract  the  square  root  of  73-344231. 

4.  Extract  the  cube  root  of  54-010152. 

5.  If  3/7  of  an  article  is  sold  for  what  3/5  of  it 
cost,  what  is  the  gain  per  cent? 

G.  A  workman  now  earning  $2.42  per  day  has 
had  his  wages  twice  increased  10  per  cent :  what 
did  he  get  before  the  increase? 

7.  A  square  lot  contains  21/2  acres :  what  is  the 
length  of  the  side  in  feet  ? 


124         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

8.  The  diameter  of  a  circle  is  65  centimetres : 
what  is  the  area  in  square  inches  ? 

9.  How  much  will  it  cost  to  carpet  a  parlor  18 
feet  square  with  carpeting  3/4  of  a  yard  wide  at 
$1.50  per  yard  ? 

10.  A  note  for  $470.66  drawn  at  60  days  is  dis- 
counted at  a  bank  at  6  per  cent :  what  are  the  pro- 
ceeds? 

11.  In  one  year  and  four  months  $311.50  amount- 
ed to  $336.42  at  simple  interest.     Find  rate  per  cent. 

12.  A  cubical  measure  contains  1%  litres.  What 
is  the  length  of  an  edge  in  centimetres? 

Algebra. 

1.  Simplify  3a—  \a-\-b  —  [a-\-b  +  c  —  (a -\- b 

2.  Multiply  a2m  —  am ym  -f-  y2m  by  am  +  ym. 

3    Divide   |*3 +  ^rf8_g^_  ^,3  by 

4.  Resolve  into  factors  3  x*  —  6  x3  -f-  9  x2. 

5.  Find  H.  C.  F.  of  x3  -  1,  x3  -  2  x2  -  1,  x3  — 
%z  +  l. 

6.  Find  the  L.  C.  M.  of  6  x3  -  11  x2  y  +  2  #3  and 
9^-22^/-8?/3. 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  125 

rfi   32 

7.  Find  the  quotient  of —  by  inspection. 

X  A 

8.  Solve  the  equation  (x  —  3)  (x  -J-  1)  =  x2  — 
3a  +  l. 

9.  Three  men,  A,  B,  C,  pay  $1,000  taxes.  B 
pays  four  times  as  much  as  A,  and  C  pays  as 
much  as  A  and  B  together.  How  much  does 
each  pay  ? 

10.  A  vessel  containing  100  gallons  was  emptied 
in  10  minutes  by  two  pipes  running  one  at  a  time. 
The  first  pipe  discharged  14  gallons  a  minute,  and 
the  second  9  gallons  a  minute.  How  many  minutes 
did  each  pipe  run  ? 

3  2/7  —  1 


11.  Simplify 


a  -f- 1        2       a       1  * 


12.  Solve  the  equation =  a  be. 


Geometry. 

1.  Show  how  to  construct  a  third  proportional 
to  two  given  lines. 

2.  State  what  the  area  of  a  trapezoid  is  equal  to, 
and  prove  it. 

3.  In  order  that  a  triangle  may  be  constructed, 
how  many  parts  must  be  known?     Construct  the 


126         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

triangle  in  the  case  where  two  solutions  are  possible, 
explaining  the  limiting  cases. 

4.  The  length  of  the  chord  of  a  circular  arc  is 
12  feet,  and  the  height  of  the  arc  above  the  chord  is 
4  feet :  what  is  the  diameter  of  the  circle  ? 

5.  From  an  exterior  point  a  tangent  and  a  secant 
are  drawn  to  a  circle :  prove  that  the  tangent  is  a 
mean  proportional  between  the  whole  secant  and 
the  part  without  the  circle. 

6.  Prove  that  the  areas  of  similar  triangles  are 
to  each  other  as  the  squares  on  their  homologous 
sides. 

7.  Upon  a  given  straight  line  show  how  to  con- 
struct a  segment  of  a  circle  which  shall  contain  a 
given  angle. 

8.  Find  by  geometrical  construction  the  radius 
of  the  circle  whose  area  is  equivalent  to  the  sum  of 
the  areas  of  two  circles  whose  radii  are  3  and  4 
inches  respectively. 

Trigonometry  and  Logarithms. 

1.  (a)  Explain  the  reason  of  the  rule  for  finding 
the  characteristic  (or  integral  part)  of  the  logarithm 
of  a  number. 

(b)  Show  that  (according  to  this  rule)  the  man- 
tissa (or  fractional  part)  is  always  positive. 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  127 

(c)  In  what  cases  is  the  logarithm,  as  a  whole, 
positive,  and  in  what  cases  negative  ? 

2.  Compute  the  value  of  j/^f^^jM  by 

T    (64)2  X  0-00651     J 

logarithms. 

3.  Find  the  functions  of  127°  10'  from  your 
trigonometric  tables. 

4.  Two  sides  of  a  triangle  are  243  feet  and  188 
feet,  and  the  angle  opposite  the  second  side  is  42° 
20'.     Solve  the  triangle  completely. 

5.  Deduce  formulas  for  sine,  cosine,  tangent,  and 
cotangent  of  2  a  in  terms  of  functions  of  a. 

6.  Prove  that  in  any  triangle  a2  =  b2 -{- c2 — 
2  be  cos  A. 

7.  Given  cos  A  =  sin  (45°  —  %  A).     Find  A. 

8.  For  what  values  of  x  is  the  expression  sin  x  -f- 
cos  x  positive,  and  for  what  values  negative  ?  Eepre- 
sent  the  result  by  a  drawing  in  which  the  sectors 
corresponding  to  the  negative  values  are  shaded. 

9.  Two  sides  and  included  angle  of  a  triangle 
are  2,416,  1,712,  and  30° ;  and  two  sides  and  in- 
cluded angle  of  another  triangle  are  1,948,  2,848, 
and  150°.     Find  the  sum  of  their  areas. 

10.  A  tower  is  situated  on  the  bank  of  a  river. 
From  the  opposite  bank  the  angle  of  elevation  of 
the  tower  is  60°  13',  and  from  a  point  40  feet  more 


128         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

distant  the  elevation  is .  50°  19'.     Find  the  breadth 
of  the  river. 

Elements  of  Surveying. 

1.  What  is  surveying  ? 

2.  Explain  the  different  chains  used  in  measur- 
ing lines,  giving  their  lengths,  uses,  etc. 

3.  Show  how  to  measure  a  line,  the  end  of  which 
is  invisible  from  the  beginning  and  intermediate 
points. 

4.  State  the  use  of  verniers,  and  give  the  general 
rule  for  reading  a  vernier. 

5.  What  are  the  general  uses  of  the  transit  or 
theodolite,  and  explain  the  method  of  measuring  a 
horizontal  angle  with  the  transit  or  theodolite. 

6.  Show  how  to  determine  the  latitude  and  de- 
parture corresponding  to  any  distance  and  bearing. 

7.  Suppose  the  length  and  bearing  of  a  side  of  a 
field  are  missing  from  the  field  notes  :  how  could 
you  find  them  by  use  of  the  remaining  field  notes  ? 

8.  What  do  you  understand  by  magnetic  declina- 
tion or  variation  of  the  needle  ?  What  is  an  agonic 
line? 

9.  Show  how  the  public  lands  north  of  the  Ohio 
and  west  of  the  Mississippi  Rivers  are  laid  out  into 
townships  and  sections,  giving  area  of  each. 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  129 

10.  Give  a  general  description  of  the  plane  table 
and  surveyors'  level  and  the  principal  uses  of  each. 

Grammar. 
(Time  allotted :  three  hours.) 

1.  Define  grammar. 

2.  Name  and  define  the  parts  of  speech,  and  give 
an  example  of  each. 

3.  What  is  gender  ?  Give  the  feminine  form  of 
youth,  emperor,  czar,  peer,  viscount,  tutor,  and 
friar. 

4.  Give  plural  of  beef,  radius,  staff,  valley,  deer, 
apparatus,  court-martial,  and  mouthful. 

5.  What  is  comparison  of  adjectives?  Compare 
many,  ill,  much,  front,  and  eastern. 

6.  Parse  the  words  in  the  following  sentence : 
Terrestrial  happiness  is  of  short  continuance ;  the 
brightness  of  the  flame  is  wasting  its  fuel ;  the  fra- 
grant flower  is  passing  away  its  odors. 

7.  Correct  the  following  sentences,  and  give  the 
reason  for  each  correction  : 

He  will  maintain  his  cause  though  he  loses  his 
estate. 

If  I  was  to  write  he  would  not  regard  it. 
The  work  has  been  finished  last  week. 
We  hoped  to  have  seen  you. 


130 


THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 


The  account  of  these  transactions  were  incorrect. 
Which  of  all  these  patterns  is  the  prettier? 
The  house  is  situated  pleasantly. 
Every  person  is  accountable  for  their  own  con- 
duct. 

8.  Dictation :   Write  and  punctuate  the  follow- 
ing: 
The  impenitent  sinner  whom  mercy  empowers, 

Dishonors  that  goodness  which  seeks  to  restore ; 
As  the  sands  of  the  desert  are  watered  by  showers, 
Yet  barren  and  fruitless  remain  as  before. 


Spelling. 


Apostrophe. 

Battalion. 

Penance. 

Diligence. 

Separate. 

Mucous. 

Abstemious. 

Aeronaut. 

Connoisseur. 

Exhilarate. 


Garrulous. 

Hygiene. 

Indigenous. 

Isosceles. 

Javelin. 

Metonymy. 

Naphtha. 

Omniscient. 

Referable. 

Unctuous. 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  131 

Geography. 
(Time  allotted :  three  hours.) 

1.  How  are  latitude,  and  longitude  reckoned  ? 
How  does  a  degree  of  latitude  in  latitude  20°  com- 
pare with  a  degree  in  latitude  80°  ? 

2.  Define  climate,  and  name  three  causes  affect- 
ing climate. 

3.  How  is  the  land  and  water  in  the  Eastern 
and  Western  hemispheres  distributed  ? 

4.  Locate  Penobscot  Bay,  Gulf  of  Bothnia. 

5.  Name  three  Asiatic  rivers  emptying  into  the 
Arctic  Ocean. 

6.  Bound  France,  and  describe  the  courses  of 
three  rivers  of  that  country. 

7.  Locate  Odessa,  Sheffield,  Vera  Cruz,  Mar- 
seilles, Copenhagen,  Belfast,  Barcelona,  Hamburg, 
St.  Petersburg. 

8.  Name  the  European  states  having  possessions 
in  Asia. 

9.  Through  what  waters  would  a  vessel  sail  in 
going  from  London  to  Canton  ? 

10.  Name  the  political  divisions  and  govern- 
ments of  North  America. 

11.  Name  the  States  and  Territories  of  the 
United  States.    • 


132         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION". 

12.  Bound  and  locate  the  capitals  of  Ohio,  Geor- 
gia, South  Dakota,  Oregon,  Massachusetts. 

13.  Name  the  waters  in  their  order  through 
which  a  vessel  would  sail  in  going  from  Milwaukee 
to  Kansas  City. 

14.  Locate  the  following :  Wheeling,  Duluth, 
Lowell,  Louisville,  Bangor,  Toledo,  Santa  Fe,  San 
Diego,  Seattle,  Des  Moines. 

15.  Describe  what  is  meant  by  standard  time. 

History. 
(Time  allotted  :  three  hours.) 

1.  What  were  the  early  discoveries  and  explora- 
tions made  by  England,  France,  and  Spain  ? 

2.  When  and  by  what  nations  were  the  following 
States  settled  :  Virginia,  Georgia,  Maryland,  Massa- 
chusetts, New  York  ? 

3.  Name  the  colonial  wars  in  their  order,  and 
state  cause  and  result  of  each. 

4.  Name  the  original  thirteen  colonies  in  their 
order,  and  give  form  of  government  of  each  at 
Revolutionary  War. 

5.  Why  was  the  battle  of  Saratoga  important  ? 

6.  Name  six  battles  of  the  Revolution — three  in 
the  North  and  three  in  the  South. 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  133 

7.  When  was  the  present  form  of  government 
inaugurated  ? 

8.  "Where  was  the  principal  theatre  of  the  land 
operations  of  the  War  of  1812  ? 

9.  How  do  the  land  and  naval  operations  com- 
pare in  importance  ? 

10.  When  and  where  was  the  last  battle  of  this 
war  fought  ? 

11.  What  Presidents  died  in  office?  By  whom 
succeeded  in  each  case  ? 

12.  What  territory  has  been  acquired  since  the 
Revolution  ? 

13.  Give  the  causes  and  the  result  of  the  Mexi- 
can War. 

14.  Where  was  the  theatre  of  operations  of  this 
war  ?  Who  were  the  principal  generals  in  command 
of  United  States  troops  ? 

15.  Explain  the  Electoral  Commission,  Dred 
Scott  decision,  Missouri  Compromise,  the  Trent 
affair. 

16.  What  battle  terminated  the  invasion  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  1863  ? 

17.  Give  the  names  of  the  commanders  of  the 
opposing  forces,  and  state  which  army  was  victori- 
ous, in  the  following  battles:  Vicksburg,  Chica- 
mauga,  Nashville,  Port  Hudson,  Missionary  Kidge, 


134         THREE   ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Chancellorsville,  Malvern  Hill,  Knoxville,  and  An- 
tietam. 

18.  In  what  States  did  slavery  exist  ?  How  was 
it  abolished  ? 

19.  Name  an  important  event  in  connection  with 
Anthony  Wayne,  Eli  Whitney,  Henry  Clay,  Roger 
Williams,  George  H.  Thomas,  Alexander  Hamilton, 
George  Bancroft,  0.  H.  Perry. 

20.  What  is  meant  by  the  English  revolution  of 
1688? 

21.  What  is  the  difference  between  the  English 
Constitution  and  ours  ? 

22.  What  changes  have  taken  place  in  the 
French  Government  since  1789  ? 

23.  What  important  territorial  changes  have 
taken  place  in  the  Italian  peninsula  since  1850? 

24.  Name  four  important  European  wars  since 
1850,  and  where  was  the  theatre  of  war  in  each 
case? 

25.  Give  the  important  political  questions  now 
(1891)  receiving  attention  in  the  following  coun- 
tries :  Great  Britain,  Brazil,  Italy,  Chili,  Russia. 

Name  the  books  you  have  studied  on  history. 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  135 

Constitutional  and  Internatio7ial  Law. 
(Time  allotted :  three  hours.) 

1.  What  were  the  Articles  of  Confederation? 
By  what  were  they  replaced  ? 

2.  What  are  the  co-ordinate  branches  of  the 
Federal  Government?  Name  one  subject  over 
which  each  has  exclusive  control. 

3.  What  is  the  legislative  power,  and  in  whom 
vested  ? 

4.  Describe  the  veto  power. 

5.  Over  what  subjects  do  the  States  retain  juris- 
diction ? 

6.  Over  what  subjects  does  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment have  exclusive  jurisdiction  ? 

7.  How  may  the  Constitution  be  amended  ? 

8.  How  are  new  States  admitted  into  the 
Union  ? 

9.  In  whom  is  the  appointing  power  vested  by 
Congress  ? 

10.  By  what  department  of  Government  is  the 
validity  of  law  determined  ? 

11.  What  is  an  unconstitutional  law? 

12.  To  what  do  the  thirteenth,  fourteenth,  and 

fifteenth  amendments  refer? 
10 


136         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

13.  What  is  a  city  of  the  United  States  accord- 
ing to  the  Constitution  ? 

14.  How  is  the  President  elected,  and  how  suc- 
ceeded in  case  of  death  or  other  disability  ? 

15.  How  are  Senators  and  Representatives  chosen, 
and  what  does  each  class  represent  ? 

16.  Over  what  portion  of  territory  does  the 
United  States  exercise  exclusive  control  ? 

17.  What  is  impeachment?  Who  may  be  im- 
peached? Who  impeaches,  and  who  tries  an  im- 
peachment ? 

18.  What  are  territories,  and  by  whom  created  ? 

19.  What  are  the  provisions  of  law  on  the  sub- 
ject of  quartering  troops  ? 

20.  Can  the  Government  create  religious  estab- 
lishments? 

21.  What  is  international  law — public  and  pri- 
vate? 

22.  What  is  the  territory  of  a  State  ? 

23.  What  are  the  high  seas?  Over  what  por- 
tions do  States  exercise  control  ? 

24.  What  is  meant  by  naturalization  ? 

25.  How  is  the  national  character  of  an  individ- 
ual determined? 

26.  What  are  consuls,  and  what  are  their 
duties  ? 


FROM  CIVIL  LIFE.  137 

27.  Give  some  methods  less  severe  than  war  by 
which  international  disputes  may  be  adjusted  ? 

28.  Define  neutrality. 

29.  What  is  contraband  of  war  ? 

30.  What  is  extradition  ? 

What  books  on  constitutional  and  international 
law  have  you  studied  ? 


APPENDIX 


APPENDIX. 


COURSE  OF  STUDY  AND  BOOKS    USED  AT  THE 

MILITARY  ACADEMY. 

(Books  marked  thus  *  are  for  reference.) 

First  Year — Fourth  Class. 

Mathematics  : 

Davies's  Elements  of  Algebra. 
Davies's  Legendre's  Geometry. 
Ludlow's  Elements  of  Trigonometry. 
Davies's  Surveying. 
Church's  Analytical  Geometry. 

Modern  Languages: 

Keetels's  Analytical  and  Practical  French  Gram- 
mar. 
Keetels's  Analytical  French  Reader. 
*  Spiers  and  Snrenne's  Dictionary. 
Whitney's  Essentials  of  English  Grammar. 


142         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Hart's  Manual  of  Ehetoric  and  Composition. 
Abbott  and  Seeley's  English  Lessons  for  English 

People. 
Abbott's  How  to  Write  Clearly. 

*  Webster's  Dictionary. 

History,  Geogkaphy,  and  Ethics  : 

Lectures  in  Ethics,  and  in  Universal  History. 

Drill  Regulations  of  Artillery  and  Infan- 
try: 
Practical  Instruction  in  the  Schools  of  the  Sol- 
dier, Company,  and  Battalion. 

*  Blunt's  Firing  Regulations  for  Small  Arms. 
Practical  Instruction  in  Artillery. 

Use  of  the  Sword,  etc.  : 

Instruction  in  Fencing  and  Bayonet  Exercise, 
and  Military  Gymnastics. 

Second  Year — Third  Class. 

Mathematics  : 

Church's  Analytical  Geometry. 
Church's  Descriptive  Geometry,  with  its  Appli- 
cation to  Spherical  Projections. 
Bass's  Introduction  to  the  Differential  Calculus. 
Church's  Calculus. 
Church's  Shades,  Shadows,  and  Perspective. 


APPENDIX.  143 

Johnson's  Treatise  on  the  Method  of  Least 
Squares. 

Modern  Languages  : 

Keetels's  Analytical  and  Practical  French  Gram- 
mar. 

Borel's  Grammaire  Francaise. 

Bocher's  College  Series  of  French  Plays. 

Roerner's  Cours  de  Lecture  et  de  Traduction. 
Vols.  I  and  II. 

*  Spiers  and  Surenne's  Dictionary. 

Drawing : 

Topography  and  plotting  of  Surveys  with  lead 
pencil,  pen  and  ink,  and  colors ;  construction 
of  the  various  problems  in  Descriptive  Geom- 
etry, Shades  and  Shadows,  and  Linear  per- 
spective and  Isometric  projections ;  practical 
surveying  in  the  field. 

*  Reed's  Topographical  Drawing  and  Sketching, 

including  Photography  applied  to  Surveying. 

Drill  Regulations  of  Artillery,  Infantry, 
and  Cavalry :     ' 

Practical  Instruction  in  the  Schools  of  the  Sol- 
dier, Company,  and  Battalion. 

Practical  Instruction  in  Small  Arms  Target 
Practice. 


144         THREE   ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

*  Blunt's  Firing  Eegulations  for  Small  Arms. 
Practical  Instruction  in  Artillery  and  Cavalry. 

Third  Year — Second  Class. 

Natural  and  Experimental  Philosophy: 
Michie's  Mechanics,  third  edition. 
Michie  and  Harlow's  Practical  Astronomy. 
Young's  General  Astronomy. 
Michie's  Elements  of  Wave  Motion  relating  to 
Sonnd  and  Light. 

Chemistry,  Mineralogy,  and  Geology  : 
Bloxam's  Chemistry,  seventh  edition. 
Tillman's  Elementary  Lessons  in  Heat  (revised 

edition). 
Tillman's  Essential  Principles  of  Chemistry. 
Brown's  Eclectic  Physiology. 
Thompson's  Elementary  Lessons  in  Electricity 

and  Magnetism. 
Dana's  Manual  of  Mineralogy  and  Petrography, 

fifth  edition. 
Le  Conte's  Elements  of  Geology. 

Drawing : 

Free-hand  Drawing  and  Landscape  in  black  and 
white. 


APPENDIX.  145 

Constructive  and  Architectural  Drawing  in  ink 
and  colors. 

*  Reed's  Topographical  Drawing  and  Sketching, 
including  Photography  applied  to  Survey- 
ing. 

Drill  Regulations  of  Artillery,  Infantry, 
and  Cavalry: 

United  States  Army  Artillery  Tactics. 

TidbalPs  Manual  of  Heavy  Artillery  Service, 
U.  S.  A. 

United  States  Army  Cavalry  Tactics. 

Upton's  United  States  Army  Infantry  Tactics. 

Practical  Instruction  in  the  Schools  of  the  Sol- 
dier, Company,  and  Battalion. 

Practical  Instruction  in  Artillery  and  Cavalry. 

Practical  Military  Engineering: 

Practical  Instruction  in  the  Construction  of  Pon- 
toon Bridges ;  in  laying  Gun  Platforms ;  and 
in  the  preparation  and  application  of  Siege 
Materials. 
Practical  and  Theoretical  Instruction  in  Military 
Signaling. 


146         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 


Fourth  Year — First  Class. 

Civil  and  Military  Engineering,  and  Science 
of  War: 

Wheeler's  Civil  Engineering. 

W^heeler's  Field  Fortifications. 

Mercur's  Mahan's  Permanent  Fortifications,  edi- 
tion of  1887. 

Wheeler's  Military  Engineering  (Siege  Opera- 
tions and  Military  Mining). 

Mercur's  Elements  of  the  Art  of  War. 

Mahan's  Stereotomy. 

*  Eoyal  Engineers,  Aide-Memoire,  Parts  I  and 

II. 

Modern  Languages: 

Knapp's  Spanish  Grammar. 
Knapp's  Spanish  Headings. 

*  Seoane's  Neuman  and  Baretti's  Dictionary. 

Law  : 

Davis's  International  Law. 

Cooley's  General  Principles  of  Constitutional  Law 

in  the  United  States. 
Winthrop's  Abridgment  of  Military  Law. 
General  Orders,  No.  100,  A.  G.  0.,  1863. 


APPENDIX.  147 

History,  Geography,  and  Ethics  : 

Swinton's  Outlines  of  the  World's  History. 

*  Labberton's  New  Historical  Atlas  and  General 

History. 

Practical  Military  Engineering: 

Practical  Instruction  in  the  construction  of  Pon- 
toon, Trestle,  and  Spar  Bridges ;  in  the  prep- 
aration and  application  of  Siege  Materials; 
and  in  laying  out  Field  and  Siege  works. 
Practical  Instruction  in  Military  Mining. 
Practical  Instruction  in  Military  Eeconnaissances ; 
in  Freld  Telegraphy,  Night  Signaling,  and 
the  use  of  the  Heliograph. 

*  Ernst's  Manual  of  Practical  Military  Engineer- 

ing. 
Natural  and  Experimental  Philosophy: 
Practical  Instruction  in  Astronomy. 

Drill  Regulations  of  Artillery,  Infantry, 
and  Cavalry : 

Practical  Instruction  in  the  Schools  of  the  Sol- 
dier, Company,  and  Battalion. 

Practical  Instruction  in  Artillery  and  Cavalry. 

Ordnance  and  Gunnery  : 

Metcalfe's  Ordnance  and  Gunnery. 
Practical  Ballistics. 


148         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 


FORM  OF   CONDITIONAL    APPOINTMENT  TO  THE 
MILITARY  ACADEMY. 

War  Department, 

Washington, ,  189    . 

Sir:  You  are  hereby  informed  that  the  Presi- 
dent has  conditionally  selected  you  for  appointment 
as  a  cadet  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at 
West  Point,  New  York. 

Should  you  desire  the  appointment,  you  will 
present  yourself  for  examination  before  a  board  of 

officers  at   ,  on  the day  of 

,  189  .  If  it  be  found  that  you  pos- 
sess the  qualifications  required  by  law  and  set  forth 
in  circular  herewith,  you  will  be  admitted  to  the 
Academy  upon  reporting  in  person  to  the  superin- 
tendent at  West  Point  on  the day  of 

,189     . 

Should  you  be  found  disqualified  for  military 
service  at  an  annual  physical  examination,  deficient 
in  studies  at  the  semiannual  or  annual  examina- 
tions, or  should  your  conduct  reports  be  unfavorable, 
you  will  be  discharged  from  the  military  service, 
unless  otherwise  recommended  for  special  reasons 
by  either  the  medical  or  the  academic  board,  but 


APPENDIX.  149 

will  receive  an  allowance  for  traveling  expenses  to 
your  home. 

Your  attention  is  particularly  directed  to  the 
accompanying  circular,  and  it  is  to  be  distinctly 
understood  that  this  notification  confers  upon  you 
no  right  to  enter  the  Military  Academy  unless  your 
qualifications  agree  fully  with  its  requirements,  and 
unless  you  report  for  examination  at  the  time  and 
place  above  specified. 

You  are  requested  to  immediately  inform  the 
department  of  your  acceptance  or  declination  of 
the  contemplated  appointment  upon  the  above  con- 
ditions. 

Very  respectfully, 


Secretary  of  War. 


Note. — No  cadet  who  is  reported  as  deficient,  in  either 
conduct  or  studies,  and  recommended  to  be  discharged  from 
the  academy  (military),  shall,  unless  upon  recommendation  of 
the  Academic  Board,  be  returned  or  reappointed,  or  appointed 
to  any  place  in  the  army  before  his  class  shall  have  left  the 
academy  and  received  their  commissions.  (Sec.  1325,  Revised 
Stat.  U.  S.) 

Any  cadet  dismissed  for  hazing  shall  not  be  eligible  to  re- 
appointment.   (Act  of  Congress  approved  March  31,  1884.) 


150         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 


ARTICLES  OF  AGREEMENT  AND  OATH  OF  CADET, 
UNITED  STATES  MILITARY  ACADEMY. 

Each  candidate  who  shall  have  passed  in  a  satis- 
factory manner  the  examination  by  the  board,  shall, 
as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable,  with  the  consent 
of  his  parent  or  guardian,  if  he  be  a  minor  and  if 
any  he  have,  sign  an  engagement  for  service  in  the 
following  form  in  the  presence  of  the  superintend- 
ent, or  of  some  officer  deputed  by  him  : 

I, ,  of  the  State  [or  Territory]  of 

,  aged  ....  years,  ....  months,  do  hereby 

engage  (with  the  consent  of  my  parent  or  guardian) 
that,  from  the  date  of  my  admission  as  a  cadet  of 
the  United  States  Military  Academy,  I  will  serve  in 
the  army  of  the  United  States  for  eight  years,  un- 
less sooner  discharged  by  competent  authority. 


In  the  presence  of 


And  the  cadet  shall  then  take  and  subscribe  an 
oath  or  affirmation  in  the  following  form  : 

I, ,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will 

support  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and 
bear  true  allegiance  to  the  National   Government; 


APPENDIX.  151 

that  I  will  maintain  and  defend  the  sovereignty  of 
the  United  States,  paramount  to  any  and  all  alle- 
giance, sovereignty,  or  fealty  I  may  owe  to  any  State 
or  country  whatsoever ;  and  that  I  will  at  all  times 
obey  the  legal  orders  of  my  superior  officers,  and 
the  rules  and  articles  governing  the  armies  of  the 
United  States. 


Sworn  and  subscribed,  at ,  this day 

of ,  eighteen  hundred  and 

,  before  me 


Upon  having  fully  conformed  in  all  respects  to 
the  requirements  set  forth  in  the  preceding  para- 
graph of  this  article,  the  candidate  shall  be  admitted 
as  a  cadet  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy, 
and  shall  receive  his  warrant  as  soon  as  practicable. 


FORM  OF  OATH  AND  ENLISTMENT  PAPER  OF  A 
MAN  JOINING  THE  REGULAR  ARMY. 

The  United  States  of  America. 

State  of | 

City  or  Town  of \ss': 

I, ,  born  in ,  in  the 

State  of ,  aged years  and 

11 


152         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

months,  and  by  occupation  a , 

do  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  voluntarily  .  .enlisted, 
this day  of ,  189  ,  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Army  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  for  the  period  of  Jive  years,  unless  sooner 
discharged  by  proper  authority ;  and  do  also  agree 
to  accept  from  the  United  States  such  bounty,  pay, 
rations,  and  clothing  as  are  or  may  be  established  by 
law.  And  I  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I 
will  bear  true  faith  and  allegiance  to  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  that  I  will  serve  them 
honestly  and  faithfully  against  all  their  enemies 
whomsoever ;  and  that  I  will  obey  the  orders  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  orders  of 
the  officers  appointed  over  me,  according  to  the 
Eules  and  Articles  of  War. 


:  seal.  : 


Subscribed  and  duly  sworn  to  before  me  this 
day  of ,  a.  d.  189     . 


Recruiting  Officer. 

I  certify  that  I  have   carefully  examined   the 
above-named  man  agreeably  to  the  General  Regu- 


APPENDIX.  153 

lations  of  the  Army,  and  that,  in  my  opinion,  he 
is  free  from  all  bodily  defects  and  mental  infirmity 
which  would,  in  any  way,  disqualify  him  from  per- 
forming the  duties  of  a  soldier. 


Examining  Officer. 

I  certify  that  I  have  minutely   inspected  the 

above-named    man,    ,   previous   to 

his  . .  enlistment,  and  that  he  was  entirely  sober 
when  enlisted ;  that,  to  the  best  of  my  judgment 
and  belief,  he  is  of  lawful  age;  and  that  I  have 
accepted  and  enlisted  him  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  under  this  contract  of  enlistment  as 
duly  qualified  to  perform  the  duties  of  an  able- 
bodied  soldier,  and,  in  doing  so,  have  strictly  ob- 
served the  regulations  which  govern  the  Recruiting 

Service.     This  soldier  has   eyes, 

hair,   complexion,  is 

inches  high. 


:  SEAL. 


Recruiting  Officer. 


154         THREE  ROADS  TO   A  COMMISSION. 


FORM  FOR  THE  PHYSICAL   EXAMINATION   OF  A 
RECRUIT. 

Name, ;   age, ;   occupation, 

;  birthplace, ;  resi- 
dence,   ;  height,* ;  weight,* 

;  chest  measurement — expiration,  .... 

;   inspiration,   ;   nationality   of 

father, ;  of  mother, 

Have  you  applied  for  enlistment  at  any  other  ren- 
dezvous ;  and,  if  so,  where  ? 

What  sickness  have  you  had,  and  at  what  age? 


If  either  parent  has  died,  state  cause . . . 
If  brother  or  sister  has  died,  state  cause, 


Have  you  given  up  any  occupation  on  account  of 
your  health  or  habits  ? 

Are  you  subject  to  dizziness? ;  to  severe 

headache  ? ;  to  pain  in  the  breast? ; 

to  fluttering  of  the  heart  ? ;  to  shortness 

of  breath  ? ;  to  colds  in  the  head  ? ; 


*  Note  height  and  weight  stripped,  unless  rejected  for 
some  absolute  disqualification  in  preliminary  examination. 


APPENDIX.  155 

to  coughs ? ;   to  diarrhosa? ;  to 

piles  ? ;  to  rheumatism  ? 

Do  you  believe  you  are  sound  and  well  now  ? 

Have  you  had  sore  eyes  ? 

Have  you  had  running  from  either  ear  ? 

Have  you  had  fits  ?     If  so,  how  frequently  ? 


Do  you  have  any  difficulty  in  making  or  holding 
your  water  ? 

Have  you  had  stricture  ? 

Have  you  had  gonorrhoea,  and  when  ? 

Have  you  had  a  sore  of  any  kind  upon  your  penis, 
and  when  ? 

Have  you  had  any  swelling  about  or  of  your  testi- 
cles?   

Have  you  had  a  boil  near  the  anus  (fistula)  ? 

Have  you  been  ruptured  ? 

Do  you  drink  intoxicating  liquors?  If  so,  to  what 
extent  ? 

Have  you  had  the  "  horrors,"  and  when  ? 


Have  you  been  hurt  upon  the  head  ?    Answer  fully 

Have  you  had  a  sprain? ;  a  stiff  joint? ; 

a  bone  or  joint  out  of  place? ;  a  bone 

broken  ? 


156         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Are  you  subject  to  sore  feet  ? 

Mention  carefully  any  other  injuries  or  any  surgical 
operation  you  may  have  had  in  any  part  of  your 
body,  especially  burns,  cuts,  severe  bruises,  etc. 

*  Have  you  any  one  dependent  upon  you  for  sup- 
port?   

Have  you  ever  been  convicted  of  a  felony,  or  been 
imprisoned  in  a  jail  or  penitentiary  ? 

Note. — The  foregoing  questions  are  asked  by  the  surgeon 
before  the  applicant  is  stripped  for  examination. 

t 

Applicant. 

GENERAL  RECRUITING  OFFICES,  UNITED  STATES 
ARMY. 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  513  Broadway. 
Baltimore,  Md.,  303  South  Sharp  Street. 
Boston,  Mass.  (M.  S.),  75  Beach  Street. 
Boston,  Mass.  (G.  S.),  30  Portland  Street. 
Bridgeport,  Conn.,  temporary  branch. 

*  If  answered  in  the  affirmative,  recruiting  officer  before 
accepting  applicant  should  endeavor  to  satisfy  himself  that 
there  is  no  probability  of  application  being  made  for  the 
man's  discharge  on  this  account. 

f  Applicant  will  sign  here  to  the  correctness  of  above 
statements. 


APPENDIX.  157 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  branch,  61  Fulton  Street. 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  94  Niagara  Street. 
Camden,  N.  J.,  310  Market  Street. 
Chicago,  111.  (M.  S.),  10  South  Clark  Street. 
Chicago,  111.  (G.  S.),  82  West  Madison  Street. 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  166  Plum  Street. 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  142  Ontario  Street. 
Concord,  N.  H. 

Davenport,  Iowa,  124  West  Third  Street. 
Davids  Island,  New  York  harbor. 
Detroit,  Mich.,  110  Woodward  Avenue. 
Evansville,  Ind.,  First  and  Locust  Streets. 
Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  Bass  Block,  Calhoun  Street. 
Greensborough,  N,  C,  115  West  Market  Street. 
Harrisburg,  Pa.,  443  Market  Street. 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  82-J-  East  Washington  Street. 
Jefferson  Barracks,  near  Columbus,  0. 
Jefferson  Barracks,  near  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  140  Prince  Street. 
Louisville,  Ky.,  504  West  Jefferson  Street. 
Milwaukee,  Wis.,  445  East  Water  Street. 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  119  Nicollet  Avenue. 
Newark,  N.  J.,  275  Market  Street. 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  153  Church  Street. 
New  York  City  (M.  S.),  11  Abingdon  Square. 
New  York  City  (G.  S.),  146  Park  Row. 


158         THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  (M.  S.),  939  Spring  Garden  Street. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.  (G.  S.),  1316  Filbert  Street. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  915  Penn  Avenue. 

Providence,  R.  I.,  24  North  Main  Street. 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  200  East  Main  Street. 

San  Francisco,  Cal.,  1504  Market  Street. 

Springfield,  Mass.,  231  Main  Street. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  1126  Pine  Street. 

St.  Paul,  Minn.,  34  East  Seventh  Street. 

Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  672  Wabash  Avenue. 

Washington,  D.  C,  419  Tenth  Street,  N".  W. 

Waterbury,  Conn.,  temporary  branch. 

Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  1131  Main  Street. 

Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  Laning  Building  Public. 


FORM  OF  OATH  TAKEN  BY  ALL  COMMISSIONED 
OFFICERS. 

Oath  of  Office. 

One  to  accompany  the  acceptance  of  every  commissioned  offi- 
cer appointed  or  commissioned  by  the  President  in  the 
Army  of  the  United  States. 

I, ,  having  been  appointed  a 

in  the  military  service  of  the 

United  States,  do  solemnly  swear  (or  affirm)  that  I 
will  support  and  defend  the   Constitution  of  the 


APPENDIX.  159 

United  States  against  all  enemies,  foreign  and  do- 
mestic ;  that  I  will  bear  true  faith  and  allegiance  to 
the  same ;  that  I  take  this  obligation  freely,  without 
any  mental  reservation  or  purpose  of  evasion ;  and 
that  I  will  well  and  faithfully  discharge  the  duties 
of  the  office  on  which  I  am  about  to  enter :  So  help 
me  God. 


Sworn  to  and  subscribed  before  me,  at 
,  this day  of 

189     . 


160 


THREE  ROADS  TO  A  COMMISSION. 


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"  It  is  for  the  side  lights  of  the  marshal's  life  that  this  book  is  chiefly 
valuable,  and  wonderfully  illuminating  they  are.  Besides,  there  is  a  never- 
ending  charm  in  the  freshness  of  the  narrative.  There  is  nothing  that  is  dull 
or  monotonous." — Chicago  Journal. 

"  Full  of  new  and  entertaining  material,  and  has  a  really  significant  his- 
torical value.  .  .  These  memoirs  are  noteworthy  for  their  gentleness  of 
tone  and  their  freedom  from  satire  and  vituperation.  They  deal  with  great 
events,  and  their  very  simplicity  and  unpretentiousness  are  evidence  ox 
their  incontestable  merit  " — Boston  Beacon. 

"  The  story  of  this  gallant  soldier  is  of  strong  romantic  interest  and 
makes  excellent  reading,  while  the  side  lights  thrown  on  events  of  a  long 
period  marked  by  many  extraordinary  changes  are  vastly  interesting  and 
informing.  It  is  an  inspiring  and  thoroughly  delightful  volume." — Provi- 
dence News. 

"  Few  French  commanders  were  more  popular,  both  with  rulers  and  .vith 
the  people.  The  eventful  story  of  his  life,  modestly  told,  is  charming  in 
interest. ' ' —  Chicago  Inter-  Ocean. 

"The  pages  are  filled  with  illustrious  names  that  arouse  pleasant  or  un- 
pleasant memories,  and  the  reader  reads  eagerly  onward,  always  enter- 
tained, frequently  enlightened,  until  the  last  page  is  reached.  ...  It  will 
be  equally  welcomed  by  the  student  of  history  and  by  the  general  reader." 
— Boston  Saturday  Evening  Gazette. 

"  Amid  the  mass  of  French  memorial  writing  there  is  none  that  will  be 
found  more  attractive,  because  there  is  none  more  genuine  than  this 
record." — Chicago  Times- Herald. 

"  An  extremely  interesting  addition  to  historical  biography.  .  .  .  These 
memoirs  relate  the  extraordinary  career  of  an  extraordinary  man.  ...  A 
complete  biography,  written  in  an  easy,  natural,  unpretentious  style." — 
Detroit  Free  Press. 


D.  APPLETON  AND  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK. 


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